JOHN W. ADAMS is a son of Archibald Adams, who was born September 30, 1811, in Tennessee. He was married to Jane Ramsey who was born July 21, 1810, and our subject, John W., was born to their union December 26, 1836. The father died in 1850 and the mother in 1854. Our subject was their second child, and assisted in tilling his fattier's farm until twenty-one years of age. For two years he followed photography in Tennessee and Arkansas, and then joined the Confederate Army, Company H, Seventeenth Tennessee Infantry. He was wounded at Murfreesboro, and was disabled from work two months, and was wounded in the foot at Petersburg, Va. After the close of the war he returned home and was engaged by R. L. Adams, of Lewisburg, Marshall County, as assistant county court clerk, and continued about two years. He then (in 1868), engaged in farmng, in which he has been fairly prosperous. He was elected magistrate in April, 1884, to fill an unexpired term. December 10, 1866, Mary H. Glenn, of Marshall County, became his wife. She is a daughter of Hugh K. and Lucretia E. Glenn, and has borne her husband three children. all of  who are dead. Mr. Adams is a worthy citizen of the county and is a Democrat, and taught school in 1865-66.

J. C. AKIN, proprietor of the Evans Hotel, was born July 2, 1827, in Granville County, N. C. His fattier, Thomas Akin, moved with his family from North Carolina to Maury County, Tenn., about 1830, and lived there till his death. He was a farmer and raised a large family. The genial subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. He came to Shelbyville in 1854, married and engaged in the mercantile trade for a short time. He then farmed till 1851, having bought a farm near Shelbyville. He then removed to McMinville, Warren Co., Tenn., and engaged in the grocery business there a short time, and then at farming till the war, in the meantime having bought two farms and stocked them. During the war he was in the drug business till early in 1865. He then went to Maury County and raised a crop of cotton; thence he returned to McMinnville, and remained till 1878, when he again moved to Shelbyville, and for six years ran the Barksdale House. Since then be has been running the Evans Hotel, the only first-class hotel in the city. He also runs a fruit evaporator in Shelbyville. He was married, September 18, 1854, to Mrs. America Lane, the widow of Robert Lane, of Marshall County. Her father was Isaac Holman, who was once a member of the Legislature. Mr. Akin and wife have been members of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and are among the leading members of the church at Shelbyville. Mr.Akin has been chairman and treasurer of the executive board of the Duck River Baptist Association for many years, and at one time was president of the Baptist Sunday-school Association. and of the Bedford County Sunday-school Association. He is a member of the K. of H. Politically he was formerly an old-line Whig, but is now a conservative Democrat. He is justly regarded as an enterprising and influential citizen of the county, who has always taken special and active interest in all charitable, religious and moral enterprises. The wife was the mother of four children by her former marriage, two of whom are now living.

D. M. ALFORD, publisher of the Bedford County Times, was born November 30, 1861, and is the son of A. J. and Margaret (Russell) Alford, both of whom are natives of Lincoln County, Tenn., though now living in Shelbyville, Tenn. Our subject is a practical printer, and as such has filled responsible positions on the Fayetteville Express, Shelbyville Gazette, Chattanooga Times and Murfreesboro News. In February, 1886, he engaged with William Russell in the publication of the Bedford County of Times, which paper he is publisher, and has succeeded in building up a good newspaper.

JOHN H. ALLEN, superintendent of public instruction of Bedford County, was born November 19, 1848, son of William and Elizabeth (Ray) Allen. The parents were born in 1824 and 1827, respectively. The ancestors of our subject emigrated from Smith County, Tenn., to Illinois, and after remaining there some time moved to Bedford County, where our subject was born. William Allen was a tiller of the soil and the father of five children--four of whom were reared to maturity. These are Isaac S., Sarah, James E. and John H. The father was a pious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a respected citizen of the county in which he lived. His death, which occurred in 1874, was universally regretted by all who knew him. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Allen has been living with the subject of this sketch. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject, at the age of nineteen, left the farm and, having had the advantage of a good English education, chose school-teaching as his profession. He has given the best of satisfaction where he has taught, and is considered quite a success as an educator. In 1885 he was elected superintendent of public Schools of Bedford County, and by his energy and untiring zeal has done much to further the advancement of the schools of the county. November 10, 1881, he married Miss Susan E. Hobbs, and two children have blessed this union: Lora V. and Ewitt P. Mr. Allen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which he has been a steward for eight for ten years.

A. E. ATKINSON was born in Marshall County, Tenn., January 23, 1817. His father, John Atkinson, was born in Virginia about 1774, and first married a Miss Dunn, who bore him seven children. His second wife was Nancy McClaren, and our subject is the fourth of their eight children. John Atkinson came to Tennessee about 1800, and was one of the first pioneers of the country, and was elected magistrate soon after his arrival. There being no other magistrate in the county, he was obliged to swear himself into office, and held the position until his death in 1829, with the exception of one year, when he was a member of the State Legislature. He also served as chairman of the county court several terms. Our subject has been a school-teacher for thirty-five or thirty-six years, teaching twelve months in the year a portion of the time. He also farmed, and June 5, 1838, he wedded Elizabeth C. Stem, and the following children are the result of their union: F. M., Mary A. (Mrs. A. S. Turrentine), Christina C. (Mrs. W. H. Clark), W. E. and J. R. Mrs. Atkinson died November 2. 1867, a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Atkinson married his second wife, Jane Edwards, April 6, 1870. Mr. Atkinson has a fair education. which he has obtained mainly through his own exertions. Up to the date of the late war he was an old-line Whig. Since that time he has been a Democrat.

JOHN A. BARRETT, farmer and stock raiser, was born July 11, 1843, son of Leroy W. and Lucy B. (Knight) Barrett. The father was born in Bedford County March 29, 1818,  and has been a merchant and farmer all his life. March 11, 1841, he was united in marriage and is the father of three children, all dead with the exception of our subject. The mother was born March 20, 1824, and had been a worthy member of the Christian Church for a period of thirty years. She died March 22, 1875. The father, Leroy W. Barrett, is living at the present time in Rome, Ga., and after the death of his first wife married Mrs. Mary Dolby, a native of Wheeling, Va. He is engaged in the mercantile business. Our subject was born in Bedford County, was given a fair education in the town of Shelbyville, and at the age of eighteen enlisted in the Confederate Army in the Forty-first Tennessee, Infantry, Regiment. He was in the battles of Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Rayaloud, Jackson, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and numerous other important battles. After the war he came back to this county, and February 21, 1865, was married to Miss Jane B. Holt, of this county. This union resulted in the birth of three children: James L., Eugene A. and Charlie. Mr. Barrett has been quite successful in business, and owns 650 acres of fine land. He is considered one of the leading farmers of the county.

A. P. (DOCK) BAXTER, a native of Tennessee, was born September 1, 1844, son of James M. and Sarah R. (Grant) Baxter, both natives of Tennessee. Our subject's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for services rendered received a pension for a number of years prior to his death. Our subject remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-one, andwhich received a limited education on account of the late civil war, which broke into his schooling. He has followed agricultural pursuits in which he has been moderately successful, the principal part of his life, August 26, 1866, he was united in marriage to Lucinda C. Stephenson, of this county, and to this union were born four children: William G., Effie, Mollie and Joseph C. He and family are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics.

WALTER S. BEARDEN, a prominent attorney of Shelbyville, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., January 10, 1843, being one of two children (twins) born to the marriage of Dr. B. F. Bearden and Susan M. Blake. The father was a native of South Carolina, but lived and died in Lincoln County, Tenn. He was a man of great learning and breadth, and was eminent in the profession of medicine. He died in 1870 and five years afterward the mother died. He received a good early education and at the age of fifteen began teach- ing as an assistant in an academy. He entered the Emory and Henry College of Virginia and was in that school when the war broke out. He then enlisted in Company E, Forty- first Tennessee as second lieutenant, and remained in the service throughout the war. He was elected second lieutenant of the company upon its second organization, and commanded the company the last year of the war. he received three wounds, one of which was serious. Returning from the service he began the study of law, and in 1866 began the practice of his profession in Shelbyville, where he has made himself a leading member of the bar. He has never aspired to political honor till this year (1886), when he was announced as candidate for chancellor of his district. He was married, February 17, 1874, to Maggie C. Whiteside, daughter of Col. T. C. Whiteside. He has a family of four children by this marriage. Politically, he was reared a Whig, but is now a Democrat. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Knight Templar Mason and at one time was the youngest High Priest in Royal Arch Masonry of the State. As a citizen he is well known and highly respected.

ROBERT B. BIGHAM, farmer and trader, was born in Rutherford County. Tenn., July 4, 1828, son of Elihu H. and Mary (Lisenby) Bigham, and of Irish descent. The father of our subject was born in North Carolina in 1799, and his mother in Anson County, N. C., in 1805. They were married in Rutherford County, Tenn., about 1823, and became the parents of five children, of whom our subject is the third. The Bigham family were among the early settlers of Tennessee, having come to the State when the father of our subject was a small boy and settled in Rutherford County, Tenn. Elihu H. Bigham died on the old homestead in 1873, and the mother, who is eighty-one years old, is still living and enjoying good health and an unusual amount of activity for a person of her age. Our subject received a fair education in the common schools and remained with his parents until he reached his majority. Since then he has followed the business of farming. During the civil war he enlisted in the Confederate Army and was assigned a position in the commissary department under Maj.-Gen. James F. Cummings, where he served throughout the war. Our subject has been married twice, the first time, January 21, 1851, to Miss Mary J. Hoover, who was born October 6, 1833, and who is the daughter of William Hoover. To this union were born five children: William L., Granville H. Samuel B., Robert L. and Sallie A. Mr. Bigham was married the last time, February 15, 1883, to Miss Sue F. Burks, of Bedford County, Tenn., born April 13, 1853. To this union was born one son, Roy B. Mr. Bigham is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. The grandfather of our subject, Samuel Bigham, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He participated in the battle of Camden, under command of Gen. Gates, where the American forces were totally defeated. There is a $2 bill of the old Continental issue still in possession of the family and in a good state of preservation, which he received from the government in payment for services in that war.

WILLIAM BLACKBURN, a well-to-do citizen of this county, was born in Tennessee May 30, 1831. His parents. Robert and Lucy (Ferguson) Blackburn, were born in the Old Dominion February 5, 1796, and June 25, 1799, and died December 28, 1874, and September 6, 1865, respectively. They were married in 1818, and to their union were born five daughters and two sons. Three of the children are yet living. Our subject has spent the greater part of his life on a farm and has followed farming from early boyhood. In 1859 his marriage to Mary M. Sutton was celebrated. She was born in Tennessee December 1, 1840, and is the daughter of John and Jane (Marr) Sutton. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have four children born to their union, as follows: Lucy J., born March 4, 1860; Elizabeth, born December 20, 1861; John, born June 13, 1864, died May 5, 1883; and Martha, born November 28, 1966. Our subject's farm consists of 270 acres, of good land. He deals quite extensively in tobacco, and although he began life a poor boy, he has accumulated considerable property. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for twenty years and his wife for over thirty years. In politics Mr. Blackburn is neutral.

JOHN N. BLACKWELL is a son of James Blackwell, and both are native Tennesseeans. The former was born October 5, 1828. The mother's maiden name was Delilia Darnall; he was a native of Illinois. John N. has farmed for himself since attaining his twenty-first year. He is a self-made man, and has accumulated a comfortable competency by his unaided efforts. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wood, a native of Bedford County, and daughter of W. M. and E. Wood. This union resulted in eleven children. The following are those who are living: William N., John A., Thomas J., Samantha A. (Mrs. C. A. Shaw), Samuel J. and Charley D. Mr. Blackwell is an honest and respected citizen. He has never been before a court of justice or was in a law-suit in his life. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company G, Thirty-second Regiment Tennessee Infantry, in 1862. He was captured at Tullahoma in 1864 and took the oath of allegiance and gave bond for his appearance. He is, politically, a Democrat.

BENJAMIN W. BLANTON, a leading merchant of Wartrace, was born November 22, 1835, in Rutherford County, Tenn. He is the fifth of ten children born to Benjamin and Martha (Farmer) Blanton, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Tennessee, and both of English descent. In 1818 the father of our subject immigrated to Rutherford County, Tenn., and partly on his farm was fought the battle of Murfreesboro. During the battle his dwelling-house and other buildings were used as a hospital for the Federal Army, and the farm was completely devastated. In 1865 he sold this farm and moved to Unionville, Bedford County, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1885. The mother of our subject died in 1869. Our subject was educated at Asbury Academy, near Murfreesboro, and at the high school in the latter place. He remained with his parents until reaching his majority, and then followed railroad bridge building until 1873, when he went into the mercantile business at Wartrace, where he still remains. He carries a large stock of goods and does a very successful business. In 1871 he married Miss F. E. Bray, of Lincoln County, Tenn., and the fruits of this union were three children: Lula, Annie and Robert Lee. Mr. Blanton is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities and, with the exception of three years prior to the present year, he held the office of mayor of Wartrace ever since 1873. He is now president of the Wartrace Male and Female Institute, also of the Wartrace Hollywood Cemetery, and a member of the board of education, of Wartrace. He is secretary of the Democratic Executive Committee, of Bedford County, and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

EUGENE BLAKEMORE, the genial postmaster of Shelbyville, was born July 28, 1852, at Lewisburg, Tenn., being a son of George F. Blakemore, a native of Lincoln County, Tenn. The father read medicine in his native county, and commenced the practice of his profession at Flat Creek, Bedford County. He afterward practiced in Shelbyville for a time, and then removed to Lewisburg. He then again returned to Shelbyville, where he died in 1874. The mother of Eugene was Cassie E. Winston, a native of Marshall County. The father was married three times; his last wife is now living in Tullahoma, Tenn. Eugene was reared in Shelbyville, and had the advantages of the schools here. He married at the age of twenty, and engaged in farming near Shelbyville for four years. He then removed to Shelbyville, and for two years ran a dray line; he then farmed another year, and then bought and ran a grist-mill at Shelbyville for six months. After this he engaged in the livery and mule-trading business for three years, doing the leading livery business of the place. He sold Out that business in 1884, and has since been farming and trading. He was appointed postmaster March 29, 1886, and has filled the office with efficiency. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Ludie P. Newton, a daughter of James S. Newton, deceased, a farmer of this county. Two children have been horn to this union, viz.: Frank N. and Eugene W  Mr. Blakemore and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the enterprising and respected citizens of the county.

COL. GEORGE W. BOUNDS was born in Scott County, Va., September 25. 1818. His parents and grandparents were natives of the same State, and his maternal grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject learned the saddler's trade, serving an apprenticeship from thirteen to twenty years of age. He then worked at his trade in Estillville a short time, and came to Tennessee in order to vote for Gen. Harrison, as the right of suffrage was extended only to those who were householders or freeholders in their native State. He worked at his trade about six years, and then joined Col. Haskell's regiment, and served in the Mexican war as orderly sergeant and then as second lieutenant, participating in many of its bloodiest battles. He was mustered out of scrvicc, but at the call for more troops he again joined, and was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Tennessee Regiment, which was independent, George B. McClellan being colonel. During a short time while the latter was sick our subject acted as colonel in his place. He was discharged at Memphis in July, 1848. At the breaking out of the civil war he was not in sympathy with the Southern cause, and, although he was forced to join a company of militia, he was honorably discharged at the reorganization of the army. He then held aloof from the army as far as it was in his power to do, it being wholly against his will or desire to take up arms against the Government. Since the war he has voted the Republican ticket exclusively. He was married, November 18, 1853, to Mary A. Pope. Their union has resulted in six children: James C., born September 23, 1854, and died March 23, 1876; Bettie, horn April 30, 1856, wife of Thomas Joyce; John, born November 14. 1857; Fannie, born June 21, 1859; Ann, born July 3, 1860, and died April 23, 1878, and June, born July 6, 1863. and died July 13, 1863. Our subject has been a successful man throughout life, and was considered a brave and faithful officer and soldier in the Mexican war. He is a substantial citizen of Bedford County and a man of influence.

F. M. BOWLING, son of Josep and Elizabeth Bowling, was born eight miles east of Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co., Tenn., September 23, 1847. He resided with his parents near Bradyville, in the same county, till ten years old, then removed with them near Murfreesboro, where they are (1886) living. The first twenty years of our subject's life were spent upon the farm, devoting his leisure time to study, and caring for his disabled father and four brothers and one sister. In January, 1868, he entered Union University at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and remained there until June 12, 1873, receiving the degree of A. M. Previous to this he had chosen teaching as his profession, and in August, 1873, he took charge of a large school at Leeville, Tenn., and after successfully conducting it to its close he accepted a position with Prof. J. E. Nowlin in the Masonic Institute, Hartsville, Tenn., and afterward became a partner with him in the school. While in this school, August 26, 1874, he wedded Miss Susan E. Sanders, daughter of Jesse B. and Mary A. Sanders, who resided near Murfreesboro. To them were born three children: Herbert Manly, born July 9, 1875; Edna Frank, born June 29, 1877, and Mary Myrtle, born May 23, 1882. Mr. Bowling and Prof. Nowlin dissolved partnership by mutual consent, and in January, 1876, he took charge of Unionville High School, where he is now (1886) living. He has been principal of the school ever since, with the exception of the springterm of 1881, when he was associated with Prof. B. F. Hooker, as joint-principal of Milan College, Milan, Tenn. He has devoted himself earnestly and faithfully to the cause of education, and has taken part in many educational enterprises in the hope of elevating his chosen profession, and has been called upon to fill prominent positions in different educational institutions in the county. He follows no text-book in particular, but selects the best methods from different books. He joined the Missionary Baptist Church in the fall of 1865, and takes a deep interest in Sunday-school work, and is now superintendent of the Unionville Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of ninety-five. He is also a strong supporter of temperance.

JOHN A. BRAMBLETT was born August 13, 1813, in Georgia. His father, John Bramblett, was a native of South Carolina, and of Irish descent. He immigrated to Georgia when young, and there married Miss Jennie Couch, a native of Georgia. To this union were born twelve children, our subject being the ninth. About 1832 John Bramblett. moved from Georgia to this State, locating in this county, near Wartrace. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1861. The mother died in the same year. Our subject was educated in the country schools of Bedford County, and on reaching his majority was married to Miss L. C. Culley, a native of this county. To them were born these children: William E. (deceased), Mary T.. Elizabeth F., James M., Newton A., George D. (deceased), Ada B. (deceased), Walter T. and Melia. Mr. Bramblett is a farmer by occupation, and has 255 acres in District No. 2. In 1863 he was conscripted by the Confederate Government and held as a soldier six months against his will. He then left them and returned home inside the Federal lines. He was a strong Union man during the war, and fully believed and still believes that the best friends of the South were those who adhered to the union of the States. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church.

JAMES P. BROWN is one of the family of children who were born to the marriage of William Brown and Jane G. Goodrum.The father was born in North Carolina in 1803, and about 1824 came to Shelbyville where he lived and died. He was a trader in live-stock, lands, etc., and became a well-to-do and prominent citizen of the county. He died in 1880. The mother was born in South Carolina in 1809, and died in 1882. The subject of this sketch was born July 30, 1838, in Bedford County. He was educated in Shelbyville, and remained with his parents until the war. He then enlisted in Company B, Forty-first Tennessee, and was in the service throughout the war. Returning from the war he engaged in the pursuit of farming, in which he continued very successfully till 1875. From 1868 to 1871 he lived in Texas, returning from there to Bedford County. In 1874 he went to Columbus, Miss., and engaged there in the brick-making and contracting business, and he yet continues that business here. In October, 1885, he opened his clothing trade, and carries a stock of about $8,000. He was married, in 1881, to Miss Kate Goodrum, a native of Forsyth, Ga. Two children have been born to this union, viz.: Paul M. and Annie L. Mr. Brown and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a firm Democrat. He has never aspired to office, but is a worthy and respected citizen of the county.

 MRS. MARY A. (CLARY) BROWN was born September 14, 1816, in North Carolina, daughter of William and Nancy (Wright) Clary, both natives of North Carolina. Our subject is the elder of two children born to her parents. May 23, 1834, she married J. R. Brown, a native of East Tennessee, born May 10, 1811. He was a tailor by trade, and worked at this profession about twelve years. He was married in Madison County, Ala., and while in that State was engaged in these different occupations: tailoring, merchandising and farming. In 1850 he immigrated to Tennessee, and engaged in the merchandise business at Unionville, and continued there several years. He then engaged in the saw-mill business, but at the same time continuing his farming interests, and was engaged in the latter business at the time of his death,  which occurred January 22, 1875. He was an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To our subject and husband were born thirteen children, seven of whom are dead. Those living are Nancy J., William C., Lucinda C., James P., Thomas D. and Joseph E. Our subject is a woman of considerable influence in this section. Her son, Thomas D., is living with her, superintending the farm. He is a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES B. BROWN is a son of Henry Brown, a native of Wake County, N. C. The father received a limited education, and came to Tennessee in 1833, locating in Bedford County where he engaged in farming. He was married in 1830 to Miss Sarah K. Alston, whose ancestors were from North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born the following family of children: Aley A., Comer N., S. L., L. S., J. J., A. S., J. B., Lucy F. and G. A. and one who died in infancy. Mr. Brown died at his residence near Shelbyville in 1875. He was a member of the order of Sons of Temperance, and he and his wife, who died in 1873, were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. James B., our subject was born May 1, 1848, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point when but eighteen years of age, and remained there about one year. He finished his education at the Union University at Murfreesboro, Tenn., after which he served an apprenticeship at photography, and followed that occupation three years. He then turned his attention to farming and horticulture, and his farm is known as the "Home Nursery Farm." He was married December 15, 1875, to Sarah J. Hix, daughter of John C. and Emily Hix, and by her is the father of five children: Cora E., Abbie P., Maud M., Alice E. and Lula S., who is deceased. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic and K. of H. fraternities, and of the Missionary Baptist Church.

T. G. BUCHANAN, senior member of the firm of Buchanan & Woods, was born March 25, 1852, in Lincoln County, Tenn. His father was T. W. Buchanan, who moved to this county before the war and to Shelbyville about the close of the war. He was an extensive merchant of Shelbyville. In 1878 he was joined by the subject of this sketch, and the firm was then known as T. W. Buchanan & Son. He died November 4, 1884, leaving a family of five children and their mother, Sarah (Davis) Buchanan. T. W. Buchanan was a very prominent citizen of this county. He was a director of the National Bank, a director of the Sylvan Mills, and was prominently connected with the school interests of Bedford County. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a liberal supporter of all charitable and benign institutions. The immediate subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a good early education. He clerked in his father's store five years previous to entering the firm (1878). Since then he has been very successfully engaged in merchandising. The firm now do a yearly business of about $50,000 and carry about $25,000 stock of dry goods, clothing, hats, caps, boots and shoes, gents furnishing goods, etc. Mr. Buchanan is a director in the Silvan Mills, and owns about 1,000 acres of land. He married. in 1878, C. S. White, born in this county. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Buchanan is an enterprising and influential business man of Shelbyville. J. A. Woods, junior member and buyer in the firm of Buchanan & Woods, was born November 8, 1861, near Wartrace, Bedford County, being a son of George B. Woods, who was a merchant of Shelbyville. The father was born in Coffee County, and in his childhood moved to Bedford County, near Wartrace, where he lived till 1863 when he came to Shelbyville. He was president of the Bedford County Temperance Association; he was also identified with the school interests of the county. He mar ried Miss Margaret Clark, who became the mother of three children, J. A. being the eldest. The father died August 12, 1880, and the mother is now living. J. A. was reared in Shelbyville, and clerked in his father's store. After his father's death he engaged with T. W. Buchanan & Son as salesman and buyer, continuing in that capacity till January 1, 1884, when he entered the firm of Buchanan & Woods. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Y. M. C. A., and takes an active interest in Sunday-school work; he is now assistant superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday-school here.

JOHN S. BUTLER, clerk and master of the chancery court of Bedford County, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., March 13, 1832, being one of nine children raised by William S. and Nancy E. (Campbell) Butler. The father was a native of North Carolina and came to Shelbyville in 1816, and till 1830 pursued the carpenter's trade. In 1819 he removed to Rutherford County, where he married the mother, and followed farming after 1830. He died in 1873; the mother is still living.The subject of this sketch engaged at the age of eighteen on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, occupying various positions, among which were, conductor, telegraph operator, ticket and express agent, remaining in that employ for eleven years. He enlisted in Maney's First Tennessee Regiment, Confederate States Army, and was captain on the first and second organization of Company F. He was appointed military superintendent of telegraph lines in 1863, of Bragg's division, and served in that capacity throughout the remainder of the war. After the war he lived one year in Nashville as agent of the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad. In 1866 he came to Shelbyville and engaged at farming and saw-milling and still continues farming. He was elected magistrate of the Twenty-first District about 1876, and September 5, 1883, was appointed to his present office. Politically he is a Democrat. In 1860 he was married to Mary A. Sims, a native of this county. Four children have been born to this union, viz.: Nancy J., Laura, Mary and John S.

CHARLES L. CANNON was born February 14, 1813, in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tenn.. and is now the oldest living person born in that town. His father, Clement Cannon. was a native of North Carolina, born in the latter part of the last century. He was of English descent and immigrated to Tennessee with his parents, locating in Williamson County, where he was reared and became a surveyor of lands. He afterward purchased a large tract of land in Bedford County, and in 1806 he donated 100 acres of this to the county where Shelbyville now stands for a county seat. He married Miss Susan Lock, a native of Virginia and a resident of Rutherford County. To this union were born six children. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died January 19, 1860. Our subject was educated at Shelbyville and upon reaching his majority began the business of farming, which  he has always followed. December, 1842, Miss Mary A. Hooser, a native of this county and a daughter of William and Rebecca (Coots) Hooser, became his wife. To this union the following children were born: Susan R. (deceased), Maria L. (deceased), William H., Thomas C. (deceased), Lettie C. (now Mrs. Phillip Wilhoite), John H. (deceased), Mary R. (now Mrs. William H. Tilferd), Charles L. (deceased), Macon B. and Charles B. Our subject owns a farm of 550 acres about five miles east of Shelbyville, where he now resides. He is a Democrat in politics and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Cannon is a nephew of Gov. Cannon and also a nephew of Gen. Robert Cannon.

JOHN T. CANNON, the genial clerk of the Circuit Court of Bedford County, is a grandson of Clement Cannon, Sr., one of five brothers, who came from North Carolina to Williamson County, Tenn., in the first decade of this century. Clement Cannon, Sr., had five sons, the father of our subject. Henry Cannon, being one of them. Henry Cannon was born in 1812. He lived in this county till 1852, when he moved to Shelby County, Tenn., where he died in 1873, having been a farmer all his life. Of those five brothers, who came to Williamson County, four soon afterward came to Bedford County. Their father's name was Minos Cannon and their mother was a Thompson, of Scotch-Irish descent, The mother of John T. was Sallie C. M. Tillman, a descendant of the Martin family, so numerously represented in the county, and a descendant of the Clay family of Kentucky. She died when John T. was but two weeks old, and he was then reared with Col. Lewis Tillman and other relatives. At fourteen he began his own support and attended school on money earned by himself. He clerked in a store three years and then taught school about four years, having married at twenty-two. He then settled down to farming. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-third Tennessee, as first lieutenant, and served eighteen months. He has been farming very successfully since the war, and now owns nearly 400 acres of good land. He was elected to his office in 1878 and has efficiently served to the satisfaction of his constituents. His birth was December 7, 1835. He was married in 1857 to Narcissa Sutton, a native of Bedford County. Mr. Cannon has a family of four children, viz.: Sallie C. M. (the wife of C. J. Moody), Walter S., Lizzie 11. and Narcissa W. All the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal ,Church South. he is a Royal Arch Mason. His ancestors were old-line Whigs and be is a Democrat.

ALEXANDER CORTNER is a native Tennesseean, born December 20, 1827, and of Swedish lineage. He has always resided on a farm and by his energy has accumulated 145 acres of land on which is erected a neat residence, and also has two other tracts of land, containing seventy-five acres. November 16. 1852, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Landers, who was born December 22, 1836, daughter of Robert and Susan (Carter) Landers. To Mr. and Mrs. Cartner were born the following children: Susan M., born March 23, 1854, and died April 4,1878; Henry, born November 15, 1855, and died August 21, 1857; George R., born March 23, 1858; Letitia C., born January 24, 1860; Alexander F.. born June 3, 1863; William L., born March 11, 1866: Victor H., born October 27, 1867; Roy E., born October 21, 1871; Albert E., born July 1, 1876, and Sarah E., born March 24, 1879, and died July 13, 1879. Mrs. Cortner died May 11, 1879. In 1862 Mr. Cortner enlisted in the Confederate service under Gen. Forrest's escort and was in many hotly contested battles. He is a Democrat, and his parents, George and Delilah (Troxler) Cortner, were born in North Carolina November 15, 1801, and October 6, 1807, respectively. They were married in 1823 and became the parents of four sons and seven daughters. The father died October 7, 1884, and the mother in 1871.

JOSEPH H. CATES, son of John S. and Elizabeth (Himes) Cates, was born March 22, 1837. His father was born in 1808, near Knoxville, Tenn., and was given a limited education in the country schools. He chose farming for his occupation. He was also a. stone-mason and worked at this trade for a number of years in Bedford County. He was the father of eleven children, viz.: Mary A., John R., Martha J., Daniel E., Joseph H., James P., Giles P., Phenettie F., Sadie R., Jestinie E. and Caldonia C. James and Giles P. are dead. The father, John S. Cates, died June 1, 1880. He was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was highly respected by the community, being a man of high integrity. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm, was educated in the country schools and is a farmer and stone-mason. In 1879 he was married to Miss. Levina Oakley, and two children blessed the union: John S. and Willam P., both living. Mr. Cates and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The family are well respected in the county.

JOHN CATNER is a native Tennesseean, born in 1805, son of Lewis and Polly (Smith) Catner, who were born in North Carolina. The father's birth occurred about 1795. He came to Tennessee in 1813 and located in Bedford County, where he lived until his death. Our subject was his second child and assisted his father on the farm until twenty-two years of age. He then worked as a farm laborer seven years and then purchased a small tract of land to which he has since added until he nows owns about 1,200 acres, which he has secured by his own exertions. He is worth about $75,000, and was married, in 1839, to Polly Ray, who bore him one child, Martha (wife of Samuel Wood), and died at her birth. In 1861 Mr. Catner married Mrs. Margaret (Smith) Hall. He is a man of limited education, but is abounding in common sense and wholesome doctrines. In politics he is a member of the Democratic party, and is a strictly honest and upright man.

PETER CATNER, born in 1819, in Bedford County, Tenn., was reared on a farm, and assisted his father until he was about twenty-four years of age. He, at that time, began relying on his own resources for a livelihood, and has prospered beyond his expectations. Through his own energy and economy he is at present worth about $6,000. He has been twice married-the first time to Sarah Ray in 1848. She died in 1830, leaving one child--Mary C., wife of Frank Johnson. In 1854 Mr. Catner wedded Susanna Helton, who has borne him nine children, three of whom are dead. Those living are John, William, Hannah M., Lewis, James and Thomas. Mr. Catner is one of the honest and worthy citizens of the county. His early advantages were very limited, but he is a strong advocate of the promotion of education. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal and his wife to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Democrat.

J. W. CLARY, M. D., is a North Carolinian by birth, born July 28,1821. His occupations while in that State were school teaching, deputy county sheriff, deputy county clerk and hotel-keeping. In 1848 he became a disciple of Æsculapius, studying under Dr. Scroggs. In The spring of 1849 he entered the Medical College, of Castleton, Vt., from which institution he was graduated as an M. D. the same year. In the spring of 1850 he immigrated to Tennessee, and located at Unionville, where he successfully practiced his profession until 1870, and then took up the mill and merchandise business. The Doctor was married December 15, 1852, to Ann McCord, who died May 21, 1859, leaving two children: Allan and Thomas. Dr. Clary took for his second wife Mattie Ogilvie, and their union has resulted in these children: James D., Charley B., George, Emma and Irvin. Dr. Clary is a Democrat. His parents, Benjamin and Alla D. (Barnard) Clary, were born in 1778 and 1802, and died in 1860 and 1884 respectively.

J. C. CLAXTON'S birth occurred April 12, 1830, in Tennessee. He is a son of James and Temperance (Ratler) Claxton, born in 1802 and 1812, and died about 1866 and 1877, respectively. Our subject was the sixth of thirteen children. He assisted his father until twenty-one years of age, and up to the present time has followed farming. Annie E. Jones, who was born in Bedford County, Tenn., September 16, 1836, became his wife August 16, 1854. Their union has resulted in the birth of nine children: Temperance Mahala, Amanda Tennessee, Philander Priestly, Elizabeth Allen (who died in 1863), James Jonas, Minerva Jane, Melvina Jones, Ophelia Adaline and Alice Casander. Mr. Claxton is an enterprising farmer, and a man who wields much influence in the community in which he resides. Although his early education was somewhat limited, he has always taken considerable interest in the education of the rising generation. He has given all his children liberal educations, and his eldest son is completing his education in Europe--Leipzig College, Germany. Mr. Claxton is a Republican in politics, and up to the date of the late war was an old-line Whig.

THOMAS S. CLEVELAND was born April 25, 1840, in Bedford County, Tenn. His father, Jeremiah Cleveland was a native of Greenville, S. C., born March, 1806, and of English and German descent. About 1833 he immigrated to Bedford County, Tenn., and located on the farm where our subject is now living. He married Miss Sallie E. Stone, a native of Maury County, born about 1815, and of English descent. To this union were born six children. Jeremiah Cleveland was a merchant before his coming to this State, and a farmer afterward. He owned about 1,500 acres of land on Duck River, in this county, besides a large tract of 3,000 acres on the Mississippi River. He had about $50,000 of stock in the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and was one of the first board of directors to locate the road. He died in 1878. The mother of our subject died in 1840. Thomas S. Cleveland was educated at the Cumberland University at Lebanon. and lived with his father until May, 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Tennessee Infantry, and was elected as third lieutenant of his company, and as such served twelve months. He then joined the artillery of Gen. John H. Morgan's command, and was captured in Ohio in July, 1863, and retained until 1865. He then returned to Wartrace, Bedford County, where he has ever since remained engaged in farming. In 1867 he married Miss Annie E. Wright, a native of Floyd County, Ga., and a daughter of Moses R. Wright, and a niece of Judge Wright, who was a member of the United States Congress. To our ubject and wife were born five children: Sallie S., Lizzie H., Hattie D., Annie L. and Carrie C. Mr. Cleveland is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the R. A. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and live on the old homestead, consisting of 600 acres of land. Mr. Cleveland is a grandson of Capt. Robert Cleveland, and a grandnephew of Col. Benjamin Cleveland, both of whom served with distinction in the Revolutionary war.

B. F. CLEVELAND was born August 11, 1848, in Georgia. His father, Robert M. Cleveland, was a native of North Carolina, and married Miss Fannie L. Wight, a native of Rhode Island. To this union were born the following children: William C., Jeremiah, Vannoy, Caroline, Harriet D., B. F. (our subject), Georgia A. and Robert M., Jr. The father of these children was a manufacturer and capitalist, and moved to this State in 1866, locating at Wartrace, where he died in 1876. The mother is now in Marietta, Ga. Our subject was educated in the high school of Greenville, S. C. In 1864 he enlisted in the Second South Carolina Cavalry, and served with the command until the close of the war. He then returned home to this county and engaged in the business of farming, which he followed until 1882. He then opened a private bank in Wartrace, which he still continues to manage in a very successful way. In 1872 he married Miss Lizzie Pepper, a native of this county. The result of this union is a family of four children: Mattie W., William P., .Jesse F. and Eliza P. Mr. Cleveland is a member of the K. of H., a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS H. COLDWELL was born in Shelbyville August 29, 1822. His father, John Campbell Coldwell, was born January 8, 1791, in Hawkins County, Tenn., and removed with his father, Ballard Coldwell, and family to Bedford County, January 1, 1807. John Campbell Coldwell served two campaigns under Gen. Jackson, one against the Creek Indians, in which he participated in the battle at Horse Shoe, and the other against the British, in which he was a participant at New Orleans, January 8, 1815. After this campaign he settled at Shelbyville, and was a merchant from 1818 to 1843, at which time he  retired to his farm, where he died July 17, 1867. Thomas H. Coldwell's mother was Jane Northcott, born in Fleming County, Ky., the daughter of Rev. Benjamin Northcott. Thomas was the eldest of two boys and two girls in this family. He was educated at Dixon Academy, Shelbyville, and studied law with Irwin J. Frierson, Esq. He was licensed to practice in January, 1844, and has ever since been in his profession at Shelbyville, and is one of the leading members of that bar. He first married Mary J. Hodge, at Murfreeshoro, November 24, 1844. After her death he married Sarah E. Goling, in Cincinnati, May  6, 1851. After her death  he married Mrs. Mary H. Bosworth, in Shelbyville, September 20, 1854, and after her death he married Carrie Hopkins, in Cincinnati, November 11, 1875. The last wife died December 4, 1884. For many years Judge Coldwell was an active worker in the Sons of Temperance, and was elected Grand Worthy Patriarch for the State of Tennessee in 1851. He was an unflinching Union man throughout the war. In 1864 he was commissioned by Gov. Andrew Johnson chancellor of the Fourth Chancery Division of Tennessee, but resigned in a short time. In October, 1865, he  was commissioned attorney-general of the State and reporter of the supreme court, and in May, 1867, was elected by the people to that office without opposition. While serving in this capacity be reported seven volumes of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, and considers this the most pleasant part of his professional career. While attorney-general he entered a nolle prosequi in all eases that came to the supreme court, when persons were indicted for treason against the State--a class of indictments which grew out of the late civil war. the disposal of which in this manner won for him the earnest gratitude of his fellow-citizens. In 1868 he was the Grant and Colfax elector for the Fifth Congressional District of Tennessee. From 1965 to 1871 he served as one of the directors of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. He was a lay member of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church at its session, held at Brooklyn, in 1872, and while there was the author of the resolution sending fraternal delegates from the Methodist Episcopal Church to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has always been a zealous worker in the church, giving most liberally to all of its enterprises, and always been an active Sunday-school worker. During 1871-72 he was president of the Bedford County Agricultural Society. He was instrumental, in 1869, in securing the building of the Bedford County Court House, and was chairman of the building committee. He has been one of the directors of the Shelbyville Savings Bank ever since its organization, and was president of that bank three years. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Central Tennessee College, in Nashville, ever since its organization, and for thirteen years has been president of the board. He is a fearless advocate of the education and Christianizing of the negro. For fifteen years he has been president of the board of school directors of the Seventh District, and at his last election he received every vote cast. In 1871 he was appointed by President Grant, at the recommendation of Gov. DeWitt C. Senter, as commissioner for the State of Tennessee to the Centennial Exposition, at Philadelphia, in 1871. He served till 1877.He was on many of the important committees and was elected first vice-president of the commission, being one of the most active participants in those measures that made the exhibition so great a success. Judge Coldwell has two children: Gen. Ernest Coldwell, the child of the third wife, who is his partner in law, and Carrie ("Sunshine") Coldwell, the child of his last wife. Judge Coldwell is an outspoken Republican. He is a friend to the poor and oppressed, a liberal supporter and patron of education and religion, and a leading and enthusiastic member of his party.

GEN. ERNEST COLDWELL was born at Shelbyville, November 12, 1858. He was educated at Shelbyville and at Carbondale, Ill. After reading law two years in his father's office he was licensed, by Judges Robert Cantrell and Peter Turney, to practice. In September, 1882, he was appointed special revenue collector, under A. M. Hughes, Jr. While a law student he was secretary of the Middle Tennessee and Bedford County Sunday-school Associations. He is a director in the Bedford County Agricultural Society, a director and secretary of the Bedford County Stock Breeders' Society and Register and a director and secretary of the Eakin Library Society. He was appointed, May 21, 1881, on Gov. Alvin Hawkins' staff, with the rank of brigadier-general. In 1884 he was elected Representative from Bedford County to the Forty-fourth General Assembly of Tennessee, overcoming a Democratic majority of 600 by 226 majority, he being a firm and outspoken Republican. His mother, nee Mary Henderson, was a lady of versatile accomplishments, and of marked firmness of character. She was born in New York, was raised in Ohio, and died in Tennessee in 1874, flfty-three years of age.

WILLIAM COLLIER is a son of Lockey Collier, who was born in Virginia about 1770 and died about 1840. The father came to Tennessee about 1789. Our subject was his only child and resided with his father until twenty-one years of age, and afterward followed the occupation of farming. He is a self-made man and is worth between $8,000 and $10,000, which he has made by his own exertions. He was married, in 1820, to Mary B. Garrett, who bore him twelve children, six of whom are dead. Those living are Martha (Mrs. W. W. Pennington), Nancy J. (Mrs. L. Madison), Don, Eliza F., Mary A. (widow of Morgan Drydaw) and Richard R. Our subject's son, Don, was born August 21, 1832, and was married March 28, 1854, to Martha Billington, who bore him one child that died in infancy. In 1854 he moved to Arkansas, where he lived until 1881, when he returned to the old homestead to provide for his father until his death. Both father arid son are influential citizens and Republicans. Don and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

MRS. IDA J. COLLINS was born October 6, 1837, daughter of David and Sarah (Harris) Williams, who were born in Tennessee in 1814 and 1818, respectively. Mrs Collins' paternal ancestry were originally from the. State of Virginia, and her mother's people were North Carolinians. Our subject was united in marriage, April 29, 1858, to W. J. Collins, who was born October 25, 1835. He was a merchant at Unionville up to the date of the late war. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of his death, which occurred July 21, 1866. His union with our subject resulted in the birth of six children: Spencer D., born March 19, 1859; Edward E. and John B. were twins, born October 25, 1860; Lycurgus F., born January 11, 1863; Emmet C., born December 15, 1864; Ellen J., born December 29, 1866. Mrs. Collins is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a woman who has won the respect and esteem of all. She has managed her farm successfully and is a credit to the county in which she lives.

JOHN JACKSON COMER. Samuel Comer was a native of England and came to the United States with his wife (formerly a Miss Randolph), a short time before the Revolutionary war and settled in Virginia. He served in the war against the mother country, and was subsequently killed by the Tories. Reuben D. Comer, son of Samuel Comer, was raised by a man named Abner Lea, of Johnson Comity, N. C. He married a daughter of Thomas Wright, who came from England to South Carolina. Her parents died when she was an infant, and she was raised by Col. Elliott Lee. After her marriage with Mr.Comer they came to Wilson County, Tenn., and became the parents of five sons and two daughters. John Jackson Comer, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth of their children and was reared on a farm and had charge of his father's mill and cotton-gin. His early education was limited, never having attended school after attaining his fifteenth year. About this time he professed religion. A short time after he began learning the blacksmith business of the Rev. D. B. Moore, with whom he lived three years. His father at this time moved to Warren County, Tenn., and there our subject worked at his trade. He was happily married to Miss Martha P. Parker. In 1845 he was licensed to preach, and in 1853 was received into the Tennessee Annual Conference, and he has followed his calling in Hickory Creek, Bedford, Smith Fork, Mill Creek, Harpeth, Wesley and Carthage. He was appointed presiding elder of thefollowing districts: Carthage, McMinnville, Savannah and Centerville. At the last conference he was appointed to the Unionville Circuit. In 1880 Mrs. Comer died. and after living a lonely life two years, Rev. Comer married Miss Ella Lacre. His first marriage resulted in four children: Sophronia A. (Mrs. J. P. Walton), Nannie J. (Mrs. Prof. S. V. Wall), John B., Moltie P. (died in 1880, wife of J. S. Keton). Rev. Comer is now past sixty years of age, but hopes to continue his good work many years. He is much loved and respected by all who know him and is an influential man where he resides.

J. B. COOPER, ESQ., was born January 25, 1831, in Bedford County, son of George and Sallie (Rutlege) Cooper. The father was born about 1796, and the mother about 1798. They both died when our subject was an infant and he was reared by his aunt, Matilda Rutlege, whom he assisted on the farm until her death, which occurred about 1871. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. In 1870 he was elected to the office of magistrate and filled that position in an able and efficient manner. He then began the  study of law, and about 1876 the county court granted him license to practice law before the county court and before magistrate courts. He has been quite successful and has made quite a reputation as a lawyer. May 15, 1856, he wedded Rebecca F. Landers, of  this county, and this union resulted in the birth of thirteen children: Cicero W., Alice A.  (deceased), Lula S., Ella L., Callie T. (deceased), Maggie M., Eddie A. (deceased), Rebecca J.. Algie B., America L., Johnnie E., Lattie B. and William E. Mr. Cooper received a  common district school education in his early days, but having cultivated a taste for good reading while young, he acquired the major part of his education from the perusal of good books after having grown to maturity. In politics Mr. Cooper is a Democrat.

ALEXANDER A. COOPER was born January 12, 1832, in Rutherford County, Tenn., son of Micajah T. and Sarah (Vincent) Cooper. The father was a native of Rowan County, N. C., born December 28, 1806. When nine years of age he moved with his parents to Cannon County, this State, and in 1829 he was married. To this union were born twelve children, our subject being the second. The father of our subject died February 16, 1874, and the mother in May, 1864. Our subject was educated in the country schools and at Union University at Murfreesboro. After reaching his majority he followed various occupations, such as teacher. merchant and trader up to the late war, when he was appointed by the commissary-general and permanently detailed by the Secretary of War as general purchasing agent of the commissary department for theConfederate Army,  which position he held during the war. He then returned home and resumed merchandising  at Wartrace, which he continued for two years. He then located on the farm where he now lives. He also served as deputy clerk of the county court of this county for ten years. He has held several minor offices and has been magistrate of his civil district six years. October, 1862, he married Miss Mary E. Singleton, daughter of Dr. Robert L. Singleton, of Fairfield, now deceased. To our subject and wife were born the following children: Robert S., Henry V., Constance, Alexander A. and Sarah A., all living. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders, and owns a farm of 100 acres near Fairfield on the Wartrace & Beech Grove Turnpike. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Duck River Academy, and takes an active part in educational matters.

REV. G. W. COOK was born near Shelbyville, Tenn., November 14. 1833, son of William and Nancy (Lentz) Cook, who were born in 1802 and 1810, in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father died of cholera in June, 1854. Our subject is the third of eight children. At the age of twenty years he became overseer for Thomas Shearren and then began farming for himself. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when a boy, and when about twenty-six years old was licensed to preach. In 1870 he was ordained deacon at Pulaski. Tenn., and in 1874 he was ordained elder. He has had regular work since 1870, and has conscientiously fulfilled the duties of his calling. He was married December 20, 1855 to Mary E. Pickle, daughter of Major and Catharine Pickle. Rev. and Mrs. Cook became the parents of eleven children, four of whom are dead: William T. S., a minister of the gospel; Mary E. (Mrs. C. M. Spruce), Emily M. (Mrs. William Darnell), Rosanna (Mrs. E. Stalling), Henry C., Eliza and Nora A. Our subject acquired the most of his education by dint of hard study after acquiring his growth. He is a Democrat, but up to the date of the late war was an old-line Whig.

 J. P. COTHRAN, a successful farmer, was born in Person County, N. C., July 8, 1828, son of Samuel and Polly (Burton) Cothran, who immigrated to Tennessee in 1844, and settled in Williamson County. Our subject was the fourth child born to his parents. His educational advantages were limited, but notwithstanding this fact, he has always manifested a willingness and a desire to aid in any enterprise pertaining to the advancement of education. December 18, 1851, he was united in marriage to Mary R. Cothran, of Williamson County. The fruits of this union were eleven children, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Cothran is a self-made man, having accumulated his property by his own exertions. Politically he is a Republican, but up to the late war was a Democrat.

DR. ROBERT W. COUCH was born March 13, 1834, in Bedford County, Tenn,, and is the son of Joseph and Catharine Patton Couch. (For further particulars of parents see sketch of R. C. Couch.) Our subject received a practical education in the Duck River Academy at Fairfield, in this county, and his medical education at the University of Nashville, from which institution he graduated in 1855. He then began the practice of his profession, and was surgeon of the Tennessee Iron Works in Wayne County until the beginning of the late war. He then joined the Ninth Tennessee Confederate Cavalry as a lieutenant, and was afterward appointed surgeon of the regiment. He was captured at Fort Donelson and held as a prisoner until May, 1862, when he made his escape from Mound City, Ill., and walked to Corinth, Miss., and from there to his relatives in the county. Since that time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. May, 1860, he married Miss Lucy Tucker, a native of Rutherford County, and daughter of Maj. Lewis and Harriet Tucker. To our subject and wife were born the following children: Robert, John R., Kittie, William, Lizzie and Mary, all living but John R. Mr. Couch owns a farm of 315 acres in District No. 2, all well cultivated and in a flourishing condition. He is an Independent Democrat in politics, a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

HON. REUBEN C. COUCH, farmer, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., January 13, 1830, son of Joseph and Catherine (Patton) Couch, and of Scotch Irish descent. The father was born in South Carolina October 9, 1787, and the mother in Buncomb County, N. C., July 10, 1796. They were married in 1813, and to them were born twelve children. The father was a soldier in the war of IS12 under Gen. Jackson. He was a farmer by occupation, and died March 19, 1861. The mother followed March 10, 1886. Our subject's maternal grandmother was a daughter of Rhoda Cunningham, who came from Ireland. She is living in Bedford County, Tenn., and is in her ninety-third year. She has at this time 306 living descendants, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even to the fourth generation. What is most consoling to the declining years of this most venerable matron, is that out of this long line of descendants none have yet done aught to detract from the character of an honest family. Our subject received his education in the common schools, and followed farming up to the time of the war. He enlisted with the boys in blue in the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry. He was commissioned as lieutenant, and afterward promoted to captain, in which capacity he served through the war. He participated in the battle of Stone River, and various skirmishes. After the war he was elected clerk of the county court, and served several years in the revenue department. He was a member of the lower house of the Thirty-eighth General Assembly. November 23, 1865, he wedded Miss Mary J. Dyer, daughter of William H. Dyer, and to them were born three children: Ruben C., Lester and Emily G. James Patton, our subject's maternal grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Tennessee. He reared a family of twelve children--eleven daughters and one son. All lived to be married. Among the daughters there were seven living at one time, all widows, and the youngest over seventy years of age. The mother of our subject, just before her death, had descendants to the number of 266, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Couch is a Republican, a Mason, and he and wife and daughters are members of the Baptist Church. He has a fine farm of 275 acres in a fine state of cultivation.

OLIVER COWAN & CO., dealers in hardware and farming implements, is composed of Oliver and Robert Cowan, brothers. Oliver Cowan was born February 13, 1831, in Londonderry, Ireland. The father, Alexander Cowan, died in Ireland, having been a farmer. The mother and six children came to Shelbyville in 1851, and the mother died in 1868. There are five of the lamily now living, Oliver being the youngest. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in an agricultural college in Ireland. Upon coming to Shelbyville he engaged as clerk in the dry goods trade for three years. He then entered a dry goods business with a brother, and continued successfully till 1874, when he sold out that business and entered the hardware business with his brother, Robert. The firm carries about a $10,000 stock, and transacts about a $20,000 business annually.  Mr. Cowan was married, in 1869, to Miss Sarah Bryson, of Lincoln County, daughter of the Rev. Henry Bryson. He has a family of two sons and two daughters, viz.: Henry B., William G., Jennie and Olive. Himself, his wife and two sons are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Knight Templar Mason. Politically he adheres to no party rigidly, but supports the man who he thinks is best qualified to fill public office. Robert Cowan was born September 24, 1813, in Londonderry, Ireland. He came from his native land to this county in 1851. He clerked in a store till 1874, at which time he entered the firm of Oliver Cowan & Co. In Ireland he followed farming. He was married, in 1836, to Miss Esther Buchanan, who bore him two sons, viz.: Alexander, who was killed in the Confederate Army in 1863, and William B., who is now a farmer of this county. Mr. Cowan has for many years lived a widower, his wife having died in Ireland in 1841. He is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, and is one of Shelbyville's oldest and most highly respected citizens.

DR. THOMAS CHAPMAN McCRORY, an eminent physician, was born in Bedford County, November 13, 1834, and is the son of John and Annie (Wilson) McCrory. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The father was born in Mechlenburg County, N. C., February 5, 1788, and the mother in Georgia, October 11, 1791. They were married in Marshall County, Tenn., and were the parents of twelve children. The father died October 15, 1874, and the mother January 22, 1864. Our subject had the advantage of a good common school education, and afterward read medicine with Dr. Smith Bowlin. He then attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and completed his studies, receiving his diploma from the Medical University at Nashville, from which institution he graduated in 1867. He enlisted in Company D, Second Tennessee Regiment, Confederate States Army, and served as lieutenant of the regiment under Col. (now Gov.) Bate. Dr. McCrory was made assistant surgeon, but preferred a more active part and took his place in the regiment. He participated in the battle of the first Manassas, Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Chickamauga and the various battles between Chattanooga and Atlanta. He was captured during Hood's advance in Tennessee, and taken a prisoner to Fort Delaware, where he remained until Lee's surrender. Since the war he has followed his chosen profession, and has at this time a very large and lucrative practice. February 28, 1860, he wedded Miss Sallie J. Knott, daughter of Iverson Knott. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, only three of whom are living: Thomas F., Eugene and Alva. The Doctor is a Democrat and a Mason. Mrs. McCrory is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

J. M. CROWEL was born November 5, 1847, in Bedford County, Tenn., and is the son of Benjamin and Margaret (Anderson) Crowel. The father was born in the year 1815, in Bedford County, and died in the year 1865. The mother was born in North Carolina about 1817, and died September, 1885. Our subject was the youngest child and only son of his parents. He passed his youthful days on the farm, and after reaching the years of manhood began farming for himself. November 16, 1873, he wedded Susan A. Molder, of his county, who was born in 1857. The fruits of this union were three children: Thomas L., Jennie L., and Edwin Harper. Mr. Crowel is a self-made man, and is now worth about $5,000, which he has made in the last twelve years. He was never sued or had a lawsuit in his life. He is upright, honest and law abiding. His educational advantages were rather limited, but sufficient for all practical purposes. In politics he is a Democrat.

CYRUS W. CUNNINGHAM, dealer in books, stationery, wall paper, jewelry, etc., was born in Bedford County, January 28, 1850, being one of five children of Joseph A. and Elizabeth W. (Williams) Cunningham. The father was a native of Bedford County, his father having come here from North Carolina in the very early settlement of the county. The father was a farmer; his death occurred in 1880. The mother is a descendant of Virginia parentage, is a native of this county, and is now living. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm to the age of twenty-three, receiving a common school education. He taught school and clerked in a store for two years before leaving home. He then came to Shelbyville, and purchased a one-third interest in a book store, and in 1876 became sole proprietor. In 1876 he failed, but has paid out fully, and now does a thriving business, and owns a desirable and beautiful home in Shelbyville. He now holds the appointment of deputy internal revenue collector of the Fifth Revenue District of Tennessee. He was married, March 9,1875, to Miss Susan A. Cannon, grandniece of Gov. Newton Cannon. This union has been blessed in the birth of four children, viz: Kate T., Elizabeth, Jennie C. and Mary J. Mr. Cunningham and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the K. of H. and R. A., being a member of the Grand Lodge of the K. of H. He is a Democrat in politics. and an enterprising citizen of the county.

J. M. CUNNINGHAM, M. D., is a native of Marshall County, Tenn., born June 17, 1849, and is the second of six children of S. D. and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Cunningham. who are now living in Marshall County. Our subject spent his early days in tilling his father's farm, remaining until eighteen Years old, at which time he entered the high school at Lewisburg, then under the supervision of Calvin Dornal, and paid his own way for about three years, his father refusing to pay his tuition. He entered the Medical College of Nashville in 1871, and during the vacation in the summer of 1872 he taught school to enable him to take the course of lectures in the fall, which he did, and graduated in the spring of 1873. He began practicing his profession in April of that year at Bedford postoffice, seven miles west of Shelbyville, where he has successfully continued up to the present date. June 14, 1876, he married Lizzie T. Lock, daughter of James Lock. This union has resulted in six children: Vera C., Clare G. (deceased), Ewing B., Hattie S., Lillie R. (deceased) and Horace L. Dr. Cunningham is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

B. M. CURTISS is a native of Bedford County, born July 7, 1859. His father, J. H. Curtiss, was born November 12, 1803. in Connecticut, and died in August, 1866. The mother was Teressa (Moseley) Curtiss, who was born November 22, 1824, in Georgia. She is yet living. Our subject aided his mother until he was twenty-two years of age, and since that time has followed agricultural pursuits for himself, and is a prosperous farmer. In connection with his farming he carried on merchandising about three years. November 17, 1872, he wedded Sallie E. Dysart, who was born July 6, 1859, and is the mother of seven children: Alex, Nola T., R. Dennie, James R., Fannie, Polk and Tint. Mrs. Curtiss died June 3, 1886, an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject was elected magistrate of his district in August, 1882, and has served as such up to the present date. He is a well educated man, and one who supports all enterprises for the public welfare. He is a Democrat politically.

I. S. DAVIDSON, M. D., was born near Fairfield, Bedford Co., Tenn., April 25, 1816, son of Andrew D. and Sarah (Muse) Davidson, who were natives of Wales, England. The paternal grandparents of our subject were born in the "Emerald Isle." Andrew D. and his first wife came to America at an early day. During his absence from home at one time the Indians, which were very numerous at that time, seized his wife and two children, and a young man and woman living with them, and made their escape to their camp. After a long and seemingly fruitless search he found his wife, but his children were both dead, and his wife shortly afterward died from fright and exposure. Our subject assisted his father in clearing their farm, and labored under many disadvantages. His education was limited, owing to poor school facilities, at that time, but after he began earning his own living he attended school several sessions, and in this manner acquired a very good education. For over two years he was a medical student of Dr. Barkesdal, of Shelbyville, and attended lectures at Louisville, Ky., in 1841-42. March 27, 1843, he located at Richmond, Tenn., where he successfully practiced his profession up to the present time. May 16, 1844, he wedded Martha R. Smith, daughter of Reason and Sarah Smith. To Dr. and Mrs. Davidson were born eight children, two dying in infancy and one (Barkesdal) was killed in the late war. Those living are John R., George H., Sarah A., Alice, Mary A. and Maud. Dr. Davidson has accumulated all his property since he began his practice, and deserves much credit for the same, as he started in life for himself with nothing. The family are church members. The Doctor is a Democrat, and previous to the war was an old-line Whig.

ELNATHAN G. DAVIS, farmer and trader in live-stock, was born in Bedford County. Tenn., on the farm where he is now living, December 29, 1825. His father, Elnathan Davis, was born in South Carolina in 1795, and in 1817 was married to Rebecca (Sivley) Davis, who was born in Tennessee in 1791. Of this union there were eight children reared to maturity. The father died August 12, 1856, in Bedford County, Tenn., and the mother November 6, 1885. Our subject received a practical education in the common schools, and has followed farming as his chief occupation. He has been married twice, the first time February 20, 1851, to Miss Mary E. Wilson, of Marshall County, Tenn. The fruits of this union were two children: John W. and Cleopatra. January 13, 1870, he took for his second wife Miss Jeffie E. Norton, daughter of H. W. Norton. To this union was born one child, Eugene G. Our subject, from physical disability, was exempt from the army,  but the Davis family was represented by other members. Mr. Davis is an old-line Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He has 300 acres of as fine land as the country affords, all well cultivated, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

WILLIAM G. DAVIS, farmer, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., November 12, 1837, son of Elnathan and Rebecca (Sivley) Davis, and of Irish-German descent. (For further particulars of parents see sketch of Elnathan G. Davis.) Our subject was reared on the farm and received a rudimentary education in the common schools. He subsequently attended Fairfield College, at Fairfield, Tenn., and October 28, 1858, he wedded Miss Mollie J. Norvell, daughter of Dr. A. S. Norvell, of Coffee County, Tenn. The fruits of this union were five children: Charles E., born October 1, 1861; Willie J., born February 13, 1864; Frank P., born July 8, 1867; Emma Smith, born November 18, 1869, and Lena Bell, born October 28, 1871. Mrs. Davis was born in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tenn., March 22, 1842. Her father, Dr. A. S. Norvell, was born June 8, 1813, and her mother was born July 13, 1819. The former died in Coffee County, Tenn., February 29, 1876, and the latter died in the same county April 28, 1886. They were married in the year 1839. Mr. Davis has a farm of 140 acres in a fine state of cultivation. He is a Democrat  in politics, and he and wife are worthy members of theMethodist Episcopal Church South.

J. B. DICKENS is a son of Daniel and Matilda (Putnam) Dickens, who were born in 1814. The father died October 13, 1874. The mother was drowned June 20, 1870, while crossing Duck River in a canoe. Our subject was the youngest of their eight children. He was born in Bedford County, Tenn., October 13, 1852. The names of the children are Jasper N.. Andrew J., Nellie F., William C., Nancy J., Elizabeth  C., Newton and our subject, who was married December 12, 1872, to Jennie Foster, who was born November 21, 1852. To them were born a family of four children: Malcolm A., born in 1873; Clara A., born in 1876; Matilda F., born in 1880, and Sarah G., born in 1884. The mother was the youngest of seven children, their names being Eliza J., Almira M., Malcolm A., Sarah G., Caldonia T., Mary A. and Jennie. Our subject has been a fairly successful financier, and is one of the few men who have made their property through their own exertions. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a Republican.

HENRY C. DICKERSON was born June 13, 1854, in Bedford County, Tenn. His father, Capt. James W. Dickerson, a native also of Bedford County, was born October 15, 1815. He married Miss Nancy Young, a native also of Bedford County, born in 1822. To this union were born nine children, of whom our subject is the sixth. Capt. James W. Dickerson, our subject's father, held several county offices, and since the war has followed agricultural pursuits, and now lives near Wartrace. The mother died October 12, 1871. Our subject was educated in the country schools, and lived with and assisted his parents on the farm until he reached his majority. when he was elected to the office of constable of his civil district, and served four years. In 1884 he was the Democratic nominee for sheriff of his county, but was defeated by a very few votes. July 11, 1885, he was appointed deputy internal revenue collector by Col. John T. Hillsman for the Fifth Collection District of Tennessee, which office  he now holds. On December 30, 1885, he married Miss Mary E. Shofner, a native of Bedford County, and a daughter of P. W. and Nancy Shofner, born January 1, 1860. He is a member of Shelbyville Lodge of F. & A. M. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject has two brothers, William J., a prominent business man of Union City, Obion Co., Tenn., and John W. Dickerson, a prominent farmer of this county. This is one of the prominent families of Bedford County.

REV. A. G. DINWIDDIE, D.D., was born July 12, 1840, in Montgomery County, Tenn. His father, William Dinwiddie, was born October 15, 1810, in Kentucky. He was by profession a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was also a farmer. He died April 4, 1872. The mother, nee Mary Cole Alexander, was born in Kentucky, June 15, 1814, and is yet living in Montgomery County, Tenn. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received fair early educational advantages. He was principally educated under Prof. L. E. Duke, of Chapel Hill, N. C., then conducting all academy at Asbury, Montgomery Co., Tenn. At the age of nineteen he engaged in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and has since been so engaged. He joined the Tennessee Annual Conference in October, 1839, and was appointed junior preacher to the Wesley Circuit, where he remained one year. Thence in 1860 he was appointed junior preacher to the Dover Circuit, and at the close of that year he was ordained deacon by Bishop Early. His third year's work was on the Bellefonte Circuit in northern Alabama and on November 19, 1861, he was married to Miss Rachael Odil, of Columbia, Tenn. In 1862 he was appointed to the Trinity Station, Alabama. After the war, in 1865, he was appointed to the Santa Fe Circuit, in Maury County, Tenn. Thence, in 1866, he was appointed to the Duck River Circuit, which pastorate he held two years. In 1868 he organized the Culleoka Institute and was appointed principal of the same, also retaining the appointment of junior preacher on the Duck River Circuit. In 1869 he was relieved of the pastoral charge and appointed to the full principalship of the Culleoka Institute which he held until May, 1810. In October following he was appointed to the Savannah District and remained there four consecutive years. He then took pastoral charge of Pulaski Station for four years. Thence he was appointed to Cedar Hill, Robertson Co., Tenn., for one year. In 1879 he was appointed to the Lebanon Station, which he held until 1882, when he was appointed to the Murfreesboro Station, and June 7, 1885, received the honorary degree of D. D., from the Soule College of Murfreesboro. In October, 1885, he was appointed to the Shelbyville Station, where, as elsewhere, he has enjoyed great success in his work. He has a family of five children: Emma, Willie H., Mary B. Maggie L. and Frank G.

JAMES N. DRYDEN, a native of Tennessee, was born January 6, 1835, son of David and Malinda (Guest) Dryden, natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Georgia. The father was born in 1800 and was by occupation a farmer. The mother was born Angus 27, 1806, and is still living with our subject at the extreme old age of eighty. Our subject like the average country boy, assisted his father on the farm and attended the district school. At the age of twenty-one he began farming for himself on the farm where he is now living. September 27, 1855, he married Nancy C. Stephenson, of this county, an this union resulted in the birth of four children: William J., Martha M. B., Lucinda E. M. and David O. Mr. Dryden is a very influential man in this section of the country He is also a man of strong religious sentiments although he is not a member of any church. Mrs. Dryden is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Dryden is a Republican.

NATHANIEL L. DRYDEN was born January 22. 1839, and is one of three children born to the union of Thomas and Mary H. (Dickson) Dryden. The father was born in Virginia in 1796, and when a youth he, with his father, immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Bedford County. He was married in 1824 and became the father of eleven children. The father and mother of our subject were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The former died in 1863 and the latter in 1876. Our subject was born in Bedford County, Tenn., and was given an education in the country schools of the day In 1867 he wedded Miss Sarah J. Llewellyn, a native of Indiana. To this union were born eight children: Hubert E., John W., Mary L., Annie, Maggie H., Daniel D., Thomas F. and Nathaniel L., Jr. Daniel D. died March 31, 1884. Mr. Dryden owns 375 acres of land in the Twentieth District, and deals in cattle, sheep, etc. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a leading man in the county. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent.

BENJAMIN F. DUGGAN, M. D., is a son of John and Sarah A. (Burroughs) Duggan, and is of Scotch English descent. The father died a few weeks before our subject was born. Benjamin F. was born January 22, 1820, in Martin County, N. C., and was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade at the age of ten years. Six years later he began business as a journeyman, and at the age of eighteen he immigrated to Tennessee and began working at his trade at Beech Grove, and while here was ordained as itinerant minister of the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1883 he received the degree of D. D. from the college located at Westminster, Md., and was one of the commissioners that formed the basis of union of the Methodist and Methodist Protestant Church in 1875-77 at Baltimore, Md., and has been a member of the general conferences of his church at Baltimore in 1850; Lynchburg, Va., in 1858, and Montgomery, Ala., in 1867. About 1850 he began the study of medicine, and entered the Nashville University in the fall of 1853 and graduated in 1877, and located in Unionville. He was married, October 23, 1838, to Nancy A. Elliott, who has borne him five children: Benjamin F., Solon S., Algie A., Sarah A. and Salome J. Our subject has been successful in life, but has also met with many adversities. In December, 1861, he became commander of Company A, Fifty-fifth Tennessee, Infantry, and was acting colonel from February until the fall of Fort Donelson. When the regiment was organized our subject was made surgeon, and continued in this capacity until the battle of Shiloh.

H. C. DWIGGINS was born October 8, 1844, in Alabama. His father, R. S. Dwiggins was born in this State about 1820 and died about 1880. The mother was Ann (Wadkins) Dwiggins. Our subject was the eldest of two children born to their union. When about fifteen years old he began milling for his father at Shelbyville. His father built the first three steam-mills ever erected in Tennessee. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was in several noted battles, but was not wounded or captured during service. After his return he followed the milling business for his father until 1871 when he erected a mill at Branchville, which he has conducted in connection with merchandising ever since. He was the founder of the village of Branchville, and succeeded in getting a postoffice in 1876. He has done much to assist in the prosperity of the county, and is a man of influence and a highly honorable gentleman. October 8, 1873, he wedded Mary Curtiss, of Richmond, Tenn. She is a daughter of James H. and Teresa Curtiss, and was born in 1854. They have six children: Cassie C., Ethel E., Robbie E., Mamie L., Harry C. and one unnamed. Mr. Dwiggins is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Democrat. He has been school director for twelve years, and is still holding the same office.

JAMES H. DYER, son of William and Harriet (Brown) Dyer, was born April 8,1841, in Bedford County. He received a good, practical education in the schools of the county, and followed agricultural pursuits. In 1872 he was married to Miss Belle Arnold, who bore him seven children: Annie H., James H., Thomas, Roy, Grace B., Harry and Ernest G. Harry died April 26, 1873. and Ernest G. died June 4, 1880. Mrs. Dyer is the daughter of Thomas and Nancy A. Arnold. Mr. Dyer owns 600 acres of fine land in the Twentieth District of Bedford County. He is respected as a man of sound judgment and good sense. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of the county. His farm is well adapted to the raising of corn, wheat, hay and clover.

HENRY C. DYER was born October 25, 1844, and is the son of William H. and Harriet (Brown) Dyer. The father was born in Bedford County in 1817. He was a farmer and stock raiser and a successful man in business. He was the father of seven children, four of which are living: James H., Mary J., Henry C. and Emily. Mrs. Harriet Dyer died in 1856, and in 1874 Mr. Dyer was married the second time. Mr. Dyer was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and died October 1, 1880. Our subject was born in Bedford County, and educated in the common schools. His first employment was farming, and this, in connection with stock raising, he has always followed. In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Evans, daughter of Nathan Evans, of this county, and one child has blessed their union, Mary B. Mr. Dyer owns 705 acres of good land, and is a leading farmer of the county. He and wife are worthy members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

J. F. ELLIOTT, a native of Rutherford County, Tenn., was born April 24, 1824, son of B. and R. (Freeman) Elliott. The father was born about 1784, in Virginia, and immigrated to Tennessee in about 1804. His death occurred in 1869. The mother was also a native of Virginia, and lived to be very old. Our subject worked for his father on the farm till he was twenty years of age. He soon went to West Tennessee and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He remained there about ten years, after which he returned to Middle Tennessee and engaged in the same business. In 1861 he entered the Confederate Army, Forty-fifth Tennessee Infantry, under Capt. Lytle, and was discharged at Shiloh on account of bad health. After returning home he engaged in agricultural pursuits agrain. In 1867 or 1868 he moved to Kentucky and remained there but one year, after which he moved back to Tennessee and has lived there ever since. In 1846 he wedded Harriet C. Daniel, of Rutherford County. This union resulted in the birth of seven children: Tennessee, Rebecca C., James M., Sarah K., Josie, Albert J. and Harriet L. Our subject is a good, substantial citizen and is so considered by his neighbors. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Elliott is a Democrat in politics.

REV. ASA W. ELKINS was born July 10, 1821, son of Eli and Nancy (Riggins) Elkins. The father was born in North Carolina, and when a young man immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Bedford County in about 1816. He was a farmer by occupation and in early life was married to Miss Nancy Riggins, a native of North Carolina. The fruits of this union were ten children: Deletha, William S., Mary, Asa W., James, Sarah, Nancy K., Evaline, Eli and Richard, who died during the late war. Eli Elkins immigrated to Alabama in 1833 and settled in Jackson County, where he died in 1835. After his death Mrs. Elkins married Lewis Page, and to them were born one child, Nancy W., who died during the war. Mrs. Page died about 1876. The Elkins family is of English descent. The grandfather of our subject was in the Revolutionary war and was a gallant soldier. Our subject was born in the present limits of Coffee County. The  eductional advantages at that early day were not what they are now, consequently the education that he acquired at school was rather limited. By his own efforts he has gained considerable information, and is considered a man of sound judgment and good sense. In 1846 he married Miss Lucinda Stafford, a native of this State, and one child blessed the union, Mary A. Mrs. Lucinda Elkins died in 1848, and in 1849 Mr. Elkins married Miss Angeline Hufman. The results of this union were eight children: Sarah J., Nancy V., John W., Martha E., Margaret A., Lafayette, Robert E. and George T. Sarah J. died July 26, 1850; Nancy V. died June 12, 1875: Lafayette died March 19, 1885, and one died in infancy without being named. Mr. Elkins was licensed to preach the gospel in 1868 and has since been a local preacher. He was ordained deacon by the annual conference. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

 MARTIN EULES, a worthy citizen of Bedford County, Tenn., is a son of Adam and Dorothea (Shofner) Eules, who were born in North Carolina in 1775 and 1778, respectively. They were married about 1803 and immigrated to Tennessee in 1810. To them were born eleven children, four of whom are living. The father died in 1843, and the mother in 1872. On the 8th of November, 1843, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Casander Bobo, who was born December 10, 1825, and a daughter of Elisha and Lucy (Dean) Bobo, natives of South Carolina, and who died in 1860 and 1830, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Eules were born eleven children: Eli S., born in 1845 (deceased); Mary E., born in 1846 (deceased); Elisha A., born in 1848; Allen F., born in 1850; John M., born in 1852 (deceased); Harriet E., born in 1855; Ella J., born in 1857 (deceased); Minnie A., born in 1860; Lula B., born in 1862 ; Della C., born in 1865, and Lucy T., born in 1867. Martin Eules started in life for himself almost penniless, but by energy and perseverence has accumulated considerable property. His farm, consisting of 500 acres, is about eight miles from Shelbyville, besides this he owns seventy acres in Coffee County and forty acres in this county. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church and their children belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Eules is neutral.

DR. ROBERT F. EVANS, a prominent and leading physician of Shelbyville, was born August 24, 1821, in Caroline County, Va., being the only son of a family of eight children born to the marriage of David S. Evans and Judith Bowlware, both natives of Virginia, of Welsh and English descent, respectively. The father came with his family to Bedford County in 1832; and followed farming until 1840, when he bought the Evans House and began the hotel business, which he continued till the war. He died in 1869, the mother surviving him one year. Dr. Evans was eleven years old when coming to this county, and was reared on a farm. He assisted his father in the hotel business a short time and then studied medicine for several years. He graduated in the University of Pennsylvania in 1847, and then returned to Shelbyville, where he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession ever since, except in 1850-51, when he was on a. western tour. He was married, December 24, 1867, to Mrs. Mary C. Fite, who was the mother of two children by her former marriage, viz.: Dr. C. C. Fite, assistant physician at the East Tennessee Insane Asylum, Knoxville, Tenn.; and Jennie M. Fite, now the wife of Surg. A. M. Moore, of the United States Naval Service, Washington, D. C. The marriage of Dr. Evans has been blessed in the birth of two children, Stella and Mary F. He, his wife and youngest daughter are members of the Episcopal Church, and his eldest daughter of the Presbyterian Church. He has been senior warden of the church ever since its organization. He is it Knight Templar Mason. He is a member of the Tennessee Medical Society, and was elected president of that body in 1878. Politically he was reared a Whig, but is now a conservative Democrat.

W. L. FARIS, a native of Franklin County, Tenn., was born June 17, 1864, son of G. W. and Eliza (Tucker) Faris. The father was also a native of Franklin County, and died June 5, 1882. The mother was born about 1838 in Bedford County. Our subject assisted his parents on the farm until he was about twenty-two years of age, after which he worked for himself at farming. At the end of three years he began the mechanics trade in connection with farming and still follows that business up to the present date. December 21, 1815, he wedded Amanda R. Kirk, of this county, who was born August 3, 1856. She was the daughter of Edwin Kirk, who was born in 1809, and died November 22, 1883. To our subject and wife were born five children: E. E., Julian L., Lee G., S. I. and Cassie B. Mr. Faris is a self-made man, having made his property by his own unaided efforts, and is consequently a good substantial citizen. He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a Democrat in politics.

J. C. FISHER'S ancestors were from North Carolina. His father, George W. Fisher, was born in August, 1812, and was brought to Tennessee by his parents when only four years old. George W. Fisher married Elizabeth Helm who was born in North Carolina, in 1814, and died in Tennesse in 1846. Our subject was born in Marshall County, Tenn., January 16, 1838, and is the third of seven children and of Irish descent. At the age of twenty years he began clerking for W. S. Hurst, at Hurst's Cross Roads, Murray County, continuing two years. When the war broke out he joined the Confederate Army, Company D, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, but after serving faithfully for some time was compelled to abandon the service to some extent. For about two years after the war he farmed and stock-traded and then engaged in the merchandise business in Verona and followed that business four years with good results, the style of the firm being Fisher & Robinson. In 1871 he sold his interest and moved to Fayetteville where he was a partner of W. S. Hurst in the merchandise business two years. The firm then divided their stock, and for three years longer Mr. Fisher followed that occupation in that place and in 1877 moved to Shelbyville. Since 1885 he has been exclusively engaged in farming. May 1, 1872, he wedded Mattie Bell (daughter of G. W. and E. Bell), who has borne him six children: Oscar B., Stella (deceased), Elbert H., James D., Hugh C. and George B. Mr. Fisher has accumulated his property by his own exertions and is perhaps the most thoroughly self-made man in this section of the county. The greater part of his education has been acquired through self-exertion. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his wife of the Christian Church. politically he is a Democrat.

B. F. FOSTER, ESQ., was born Janurary 10, 1829, in Rutherford County, and was the son of James and Celia (Gentry) Foster. The father was born April 22, 1800, and was a very successful farmer for his day. The mother was born in 1803, in Georgia. Our subject received a practical education in the district schools, and at the age of nineteen engaged in the saw-mill business. This he continued for about two years and then began teaching school. At the end of fifteen months he gave this up and engaged in farming. In 1870 he was elected magistrate, and served in this capacity for twelve years. January, 1877,  he was elected chairman of the county court and held this position for about six years. Prior to this, in 1851, he wedded Nancy A. McBride, of this county, and the fruits of this union were three children: James J., Charles R. and the eldest, Harriet M., who died in infancy, The mother of these children died June 11, 1862. Mr. Foster was married to Frances Hoover, nee Rankin, August 27, 1871. This union resulted in the birth of one child, Lela G. Mrs. Foster was the mother of two children by her former husband: they were named Thomas R. and H. C Hoover. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members in good standing in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and also a Chapter member of the same. He represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge in Nashville five years in succession. He is a Democrat in politics.

H. R. FREEMAN was born in Bedford County, Tenn., December 25, 1835. From twenty-one years of age until 1861 he farmed for himself, and at the latter date enlisted in Company F, Seventeenth Tennessee Infantry, and fought in many of the most noted battles. He was commissary sergeant during the latter part of the war. After his return he farmed until 1874, and then began merchandising in Unionville. He has been very successful. October 13, 1867, he wedded Salome Duggan, who died November 28, 1878. March 9, 1882, he married Emma Barker. They have one child, Enid Freeman. Mr. Freeman is a Democrat and Prohibitionist. His parents, Hartwell and Nancy (Harris) Freeman, were born in North Carolina in 1797 and 1801, respectively. The father was a well-to-do farmer, and died in 1871. The mother is yet living. and is eighty-five years of age.

JOHN G. FROST is a son of John E. Frost, a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church, who was born April 7, 1825, in Alabama. His mother was Alsie D. Hicks, daughter of D. D. and Malinda Hicks. John G. Frost was born in Bedford County, October 13, 1859, and was the eighth of nine children. He assisted his father on the farm until twenty-one years of age, and then began tilling the soil on his own responsibility. In 1882 he went to Missouri, where he farmed one year, but the same year traveled over the State of Kansas and the Indian Territory. Since that time he has been engaged in the farming interests in Tennessee. November 30, 1882, he was married to Mattie J. Coleman, daughter of N. A. Coleman. She was born January 12, 1861. They became the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. Joshua Wright is the child living. Mr. Frost has been a church member since the fall of 1878. He belongs to the Democratic party, and is worth about $2,500.

WILLIAM D. FROST, M. D., was born in Madison County, Ala., August 12, 1830, and is one of six children born to Ebenezer and Nancy (Wright) Frost. The father was born in North Carolina, and in 1827 immigrated to Alabama where he remained until 1835, and then removed to Bedford County, Tenn. He was one of the successful farmers, of the county. In 1837 he was employed by the Government to aid in removing the Indians to the territory to which they were assigned, and during one of these trips he died. He reared a family of which the county is proud. All of them are prominent citizens of the county. The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood on the farm, and received a fair education in the county schools. In 1850 he began the study of medicine, and in the same year entered the Ohio Medical School of Cincinnati, where he remained one term. He then went to Obion County, Tenn., and began the practice of his profession, remaining there eight years, after which he went to Mississippi, where he remained nine years. He then came back to Tennessee, and has since that time been a faithful practitioner of Bedford County. In 1854 he wedded Miss Martha L. Brown, of Obion County, Tenn., a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, who died in 1874. Mr. Frost was a soldier in the late war; was in the Thirtieth Mississippi Regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, which rendered him unfit for general service. After this he acted as assistant surgeon of the regiment until the close of the war. Mr. Frost has a family of four children: William A., who is editor of the Shelbyville Gazette, Walter C. who is editing a paper at Murfreesboro, Clarinda E. and John W.

WILLIAM A. FROST, editor and proprietor of the Shelbyville Gazette, was born September 30, 1855, in Troy, Obion Co., Tenn., being the eldest of five children of William D. and Martha L. (Brown) Frost. The father is a physician and resides at Flat Creek in this county. The mother died September 24, 1874. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in Moore County, Tenn., and in Mississippi. He remained with his parents to the age of nineteen, when he entered Mulberry Institute, Lincoln County, Tenn., in which he took a two years' course. He then was appointed deputy clerk of the Circuit Court of Moore County. After one year as deputy he was appointed clerk of the same court and held the office three years. In December, 1878, he bought the Lynchburg Sentinel, and published that paper till December 4, 1884, at which time he was burned out. In 1880, June 30, he was appointed clerk and master of the Chancery Court of Moore County, and served four years. January 1, 1884, he took charge of his present enterprise. He has refitted the office with an entirely new outfit and made his the leading paper of the country, and he is regarded as the most successful county newspaper man in the State. He was elected alderman of the Second Ward of Shelbyville in October, 1885, and is chairman of the finance committee. He is justly regarded as a prominent and enterprising citizen. He was married, May, 4, 1880, to Miss Katie Whitaker, of Lincoln County. This union has been blessed in the birth of one son, William W. Politically Mr. Frost is a firm Democrat.

ALFRED D. FUGITT, farmer, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., November 8, 1813, son of Townsend and Jane (Campbell) Fugitt, and of Irish-French descent. The father of our subject was born in North Carolina in 1780, and the mother was born about 1784. They were married in North Carolina about 1799, and to them were born eight children. The father emigrated from North Carolina to Kentucky in 1804, and owned the land where Danville, Ky., now stands, but concluding the land was too poor for successful farming, moved to Tennessee in 1806. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died November, 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-eight, the mother died in 1837. Our subject received a fair education and followed farming and merchandising ever since. He was married, January 10, 1837, to Miss Jane M.Norvell; of this alliance there were born ten children--three sons: Glodolphus C., John N. and Alfred  T., and seven daughters: Sallie E., Mattie J., Maggie N., Cassie M., Mollie B., Ada J. and Annie N. Mr. Fugitt was formerly an old-line Whig, and while he entertains no particular love for the name of Democracy he votes that ticket. He has 600 acres of good land, which he devotes almost exclusively to stock raising. Mrs. Fugitt, wife of our subject, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., September 5, 1814. Her father, John Norvell, emigrated from North Carolina about 1806, and was among the pioneers of the State. Our subject had two sons in the late war, Glodolphus C., who was a captain in the Second Tennessee Regiment under Col. Bate, was killed at Shiloh. The second son was a member of the same regiment and was killed in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1863. While our subject was too old to partake of active service in the army, he displayed his liberality and State pride in contributing the amount of $1,000 a mouth to Capt. Fugitt's company. The grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Fugitt, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and served seven years.

JOHN A. GANNAWAY was born in Tennessee May 17, 1824, son of John and Mary W. (Robertson) Gannaway, of Virginia. The father was born in 1788, married in 1811 and came to Tennessee in 1814. He was a farmer and mechanic, and died July 12, 1851. Our subject's ancestors on both sides were from England. He was the fifth of eleven children and resided with his parents on the farm until twenty years of age. He then became overseer of a cotton factory at Murfreesboro, and worked the first year for $60, the second for $100, the third for $200. At the expiration of this time he started to school, attending about five months. He clerked for a short time in Murfreesboro, and then sold goods for A. J. Wood. He then began traveling for a saddle and dry goods firm, continuing five years, and then began the mercantile business at Wartrace, Tenn., with a very small capital. At the end of eight years he had accumulated considerable money and in the fall of 1858 sold out and purchased a farm near Bellbuckle, which he managed about seven years. Since the war he has been postmaster of Unionville, and was a merchant of that place for some time. In 1877 he retired from active business life. September 14, 1853, he married M. R. Tarpley, of Bedford County, and daughter of Edward Tarpley; she was born October 25, 1832, and has borne her husband twelve children: Emma D., Maggie E., John E., James W., Josephus, Nannie R., Mary C., Elijah T., Cora L., Clarence E., Horace B. C. and Cornelius V. Mr. Gannaway was elected magistrate of his district November 8, 1870, and held the office about six years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

BRADLEY GAMBILL was born April 17, 1820, in Tennessee, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Cannady) Gambill, natives of Tennessee and Maryland, respectively. Our subject was the youngest of twelve children born to his parents, all dead but three. The father was a farmer and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He received land warrants for services rendered during that war. Our subject worked on the same farm with his brother till he was twenty-two years of age.. He is a successful farmer and has followed that occupation the principal part of his life. December 24, 1840, he wedded Sarah C. Anderson, of Tennessee, and this union has been happily blessed by the birth of a large family of children. In 1848 our subject was elected to the office of constable and served the people in that capacity for six years. In 1854 he moved to Mississippi and engaged in the cotton business, but the late Rebellion swept the greater part of his property away. He moved back to Tennessee during the war and was elected to the office of magistrate in 1866, and was elected the two following terms, making a total of sixteen years in all that he served the people in that capacity. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is also a member of the Masonic order. In politics he is a Democrat. He was a major in the militia before the war.

THOMAS J. GAMBILL, an excellent farmer and the son of Bradley and Sarah C. (Anderson) Gambill, whose sketch appears above in this volume, was born December 14, 1852. He assisted his parents on the farm and secured a fair practical education in the district schools. In 1874 he began to fight life's battles for himself as a farmer. In 1877 he led to the altar Lucy Templeton, daughter of Newton Templeton, and the fruit of this union was an interesting family of four children: Minnie E., Marvin E., Joshua Cleveland and Newton E. Mr. Gambill is one of the enterprising and successful citizens of the Twenty-third District. He has a farm well watered and in a fine state of cultivation in Coffee County, and an interest in a tract in this county. He and wife are exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

N. C. GAMBILL, JR., was born May 28, 1846, in Tennessee, son of N. C. and Minerva (Phillips) Gambill, both natives of this State. The father was born in 1812 and was a tiller of the soil; his death occurred in 1861. The mother was born in 1815, and died in 1866 or 1867. Our subject remained on the farm with his parents until their death. He then began farming for himself in 1867, and has successfully continued that occupation up to the present date. November 29, 1866, he wedded Nancy L. Ladd, of Williamson County. The result of this union was five children: Sallie J., Jesse C., James B., Nannie E., and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Gambill are leading members in the Christian Church, and Mr. Gambill is a Master Mason. His education was rather limited, but he has always manifested a willingness to aid in any or all enterprises pertaining to the advancement of education. He is a Democrat in politics and a strong temperance man and an advocate of Christianity in all its phases, sects and denominations.

R. C. GARRETT was born February 11, 1844, in Bedford County, and is the son of Darington and Nancy (Gentry) Garrett, both natives of Tennessee, and both died when our subject was quite small. R. C. Garrett, our subject, enlisted in the Confederate Army in the fall of 1862. He entered as Gen. Forrest's escort, and sustained this relation to the army throughout the entire war. He was wounded in the right arm just above the elbow during the battle of Chickamauga, which disabled him from active duty for about six months. He was again wounded at Plantersville, Ala., was hit by a spent ball on the left jaw, but this disabled him for only a short time. At the close of the war he came home and began tilling the soil on the farm where be is now living. November 30, 1865, he led to the altar Martha L. Jackson, of this county. She was the daughter of John and Rebecca (Lytle) Jackson, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Virginia, and of Irish and English lineage. To Mr. and Mrs. Garrett were born ten children: Ella N., William T., John J., Robert C., Robecca G., Lizzie L., Fannie C., Darlington J., Fane S. and the tenth, a daughter, died unnamed. Mr. Garrett received rather a limited education, but enough for all practical purposes. He is a Democrat in politics, and Mrs. Garrett is a member of the Baptist Church.

L. T. GAUNT was born March 15, 1852, in this State, son of Lewis and Mary S. (Shearen) Gaunt, both natives of Tennessee. The father was born December 28, 1803, and died February 20, 1860. The mother was born May 2, 1816, and died in 1873. Our subject assisted his mother on the farm and received a rather limited education in the common schools. At the age of seventeen he began farming on his own responsibility and continued this occupation until the fall of 1884, September 29, 1869, he wedded Margaret M. E. Stallings, of this county, and by her became the father of six children: Mollie E., Mattie E., James L., John T., Joe U. and Dan S. In 1882 Mr. Gaunt was elected constable in the Eighteenth District, and served two years. In 1884 he was appointed deputy sheriff under the present sheriff, which position he now holds. In 1885 he engraged in the merchandise business at this place, and is at present engaged in that occupation. In the fall of 1885 he was appointed United States deputy marshal. which office he now holds. He is a Democrat in politics.

JOHN J. GILL, farmer and stock raiser, was born May 26, 1841, and is one of five children born to the union of Winston W. and Sarah A. (Whitaker) Gill. The father was born in Kentucky March 10, 1809. In 1831 or 1832 he immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Lincoln County. He was for the greater part of his life a merchant, and sold goods at Gill's Store. In 1840 he was married, and became the father of these children: John J., Mary R., Martha C., Sallie J. and Winston W. Martha Gill died in 1851; Sallie J., in 1860, and Winston W., in 1878. In 1846 our subject's father moved to this county and bought a tract of land in the Twenty-second District. Mrs. Gill died in 1855, and Mr. Gill married a Miss Moore, and after her death he married a Miss Wiley, of Alabama. The Gill family were originally from Maryland, and are of English descent. Our subject was born in Lincoln County, and was given an education in the county schools. In 1870 he was married to Miss Susan S. Riggs, a native of Maury County and a daughter of Adam S. Riggs. To this union were born two children: Sallie R. and Winston W. Sallie R. died in 1874, and Winston W. February 11, 1879. Mr. Gill owns one of the finest farms of Bedford County. It contains 650 acres lying five miles south of Shelbyville. He is president of the agricultural society of Bedford County.

J. S. GILLIS, a leading merchant and enterprising citizen of Shelbyville, was born April 12, 1840, in New York State. He was the younger of two children born to the marriage of James Gillis and Isabella Stalker, natives of Scotland. His parents removed to Canada from New York, and he was reared there, receiving a common school education. In 1859 he went to Trenton, Ky., and engaged in the pursuit of farming till 1871. He then removed to Shelbyville and opened his merchandising establishment, which he has continued very successfully. He now carries a stock of about $20,000 and does an annual business of about $35, 000 to $40,000. He was married September 25, 1864, to Eliza Bradley, the result of this union is one son--George D. Mr. Gillis is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-schools for about twelve years. His wife is also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Gillis is of old-line Whig ancestry, but he is now a Democrat. He is one of the leading citizens of Shelbyville, and bears the highest esteem of his fellow-citizens.

JAMES B. GREEN, of the firm of Green & McGill, dealers in groceries and provisions, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., January 20, 1856, being a son of Blount G. and Salina F. (Stewart) Green. Blount G. Green was born October 14, 1815. His father, William Green, came to Bedford County in 1808 with his parents. William Green was married in 1811 to Miss Sarah Phillips. Blount G. has always been a farmer and hag been very successful, now owning 1,121 acres of land in Bedford County. He was married, in 1841, to Miss Salina F. Stewart, the result of this union being eleven children, viz.: Canzada P., Mary E., Nancy C., Susan C. E., Emily J., Lewis D., Samuel E., James B., Harriet F., Tennessee A. and Thomas B. Three of the family have died, viz.: Canzada, P., Thomas B. and Emily J. Mr. Blount Green is one of the prominent farmers of the county, and has been identified with the public offices of the county, James B. was reared on a farm and secured a common school education. At the age of twenty-one he began farming for himself, and continued till 1881, when he engaged at clerking in a grocery store for a short time. He then went back to farming. In December, 1885, he began his present occupation, and has since done a good business in the grocery line. He was married, May 10, 1883, to Mrs. Tennie (McGill) Gallaher, daughter of W. M. McGill, Esq., of this county. The wife is the mother of one child, Mary Gallagher, by her former marriage, and has borne two children to her union with Mr. Green, viz.: Jessie B. and James F. Mr. Green and wife are members of the Christian Church. He takes no very active interest in political affairs, but is an energetic and respected business man.

B. T. GREGORY, the photographer of Shelbyville, was born August 17, 1847, in Shelbyville, being one of a family born to the union of Joseph P. Gregory and Elvira Jones, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Alabama. Joseph P. was brought to Bed- ford County when Young by his father, Thomas Gregory. He was a dentist by profession. He practiced his profession in Shelbyville, and thence removed to Stevenson, Ala., which place he named in honor of V. K. Stevenson, a prominent railroad man. He (the father) returned to Shelbyville, where he died in 1881. The mother died at Stevenson, Ala., when our subject was young. B. T. received a common school education. At the age of twenty-two he started out in life for himself, having learned and practiced dentistry prior to this time. He then learned the photographer's art, and has ever since been engaged in that art. He permanently located in Shelbyville in 1876, since which time he has done a good business in his line. He was married, December 26, 1881, to Miss Annie Calhoun, daughter of N. J. and Elizabeth Calhoun. Her father was a stonecutter and marble dealer. One son has been born to this marriage--Benjamin T. Mr. Gregory is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

JOHN H. GRIDER was born December 27, 1844, in Jackson County, Ala. His father, Ananias A. Grider, was born in Putnam County, Tenn., in 1812. He married Miss G. Bullington, a native of the same county. To this union seven children were born, our subject being the fifth. Ananias A. Grider died August, 1856, and his wife died in the same month. Our subject was educated in the country schools of his native county. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Seventeenth Tennessee Regiment, and served with this command up to and including the battle of Chickamauga. During this time he never was absent from his command a single day. The principal battles were Wild Cat Mountain, Fishing Creek, Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga. At the latter place he was captured and taken to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, Ill., where he remained until March 23, 1865. He was then taken to Point Lookout, Md., where he took the oath of allegiance, was released and returned home. He then worked two years on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and ever since then has followed farming in Bedford County, where he now resides. On July 1, 1866, he married Mrs. Sarah J. Mooney, and to this union were born five children. Mr. Grider owns a farm of 135 acres in District No. 3, and he and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

SAMUEL B. GORDON, one of Bedford County's old and respected citizens, was born February 14. 1813, in Bedford County. He is one of seven children, the fruits of the marriage of David Gordon and Mary Reynolds, natives of South Carolina. The parents came to this county about 1809 and the father followed farming all his life. He died when Samuel B. was quite small. The mother died in 1836; she was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gordon, our subject, was reared on a farm and secured a common school education. At the age of twenty-three he married and settled to farming four miles east of Shelbyville. He afterward moved to Flat Creek, in this county, and lived there eighteen years; thence he moved to where he now lives. He owns about 190 acres of fine land, having been successful as a lifetime farmer. He was married, October 20, 1835, to Amelia Eules, a native of this county, born in 1817. Twelve children have been born to this union, all of whom have lived to be grown, but four of whom have since died. viz. Mary C. (wife of Thomas Hutton, a farmer of Marshall County); George W. (deceased); Harriet E. (wife of J. R. Burrow, a farmer of this county); Adam E. (deceased); Amzi C. (deceased); William J., a labor superintendent in Alabama; Mitchell S., a merchant in Texas; Martin L. (deceased); John A., a States district attorney in Texas; Samuel B., Jr.; Margaret E. and Amelia E. (wife of G. S. Sanders). Mr. Gordon, his wife and several of the family are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Master Mason in Blue Lodge Masonry, and a Republican in politics. He was trustee of Bedford County for about three terms about the close of the war.

RICHARD D. GORDON was born February 8, 1834, and is the son of Dr. William J. and Louisa B. (Hix) Gordon. The father of our subject was born in North Carolina February 16, 1813, and when a young man immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Bedford County. He received his medical education at the medical school of Gainesville, Ala., and began the practice of his profession in Bedford County. He was very successful as a physician, and won distinction in the county where he resided. In 1846 he was narried to Miss Louisa B. Hix, and to this union were born four children: Dosia, Richard D., and two who died in infancy that were not named. Dr. Gordon died at his home in Bedford County August 20, 1875, beloved by all. Our subject had the advantage of a good practical education in his native county. In 1875 he was married to Miss Callie Burrow, and five children blessed this union: Euphus A., William F., Clawson R., Albert P. and Anna B., all living. Mr.Gordon has made farming a success. He owns 160 acres of land in the Twenty-third District, and is esteemed by all his acquaintances.

N. W. HALEY is a son of E. T. and Susanna (Pratt) Haley, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The father was born in 1779, and received a fair education. When about seventeen years of age he went to North Carolina and engaged in farming, and was there married in 1804, and became the father of these nine children: Anderson, James, Mary B., Nancy, Martha, William S., George, E. T. (Jr.). and N. W. Mr. Haley came to Tennessee in 1806, and located in Rutherford County, but in 1829 came to Bedford County, and in 1841 moved to the farm known as "Oak Grove," where he died March 23, 1858. He was an 1812 soldier. Mrs. Haley died March 26,1844. Our subject was born in Bedford County February 1, 1824, and his early days were passed in laboring on his fattier's farm. His educational opportunities were limited, owing to his services being required at home, but by contact with business life he has gained a fair business education. He is a farmer and stock raiser, and a Democrat in his political views. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

JOHN V. HALL was born March 31, 1841, in Bedford County, Tenn., and is the elder of two children born to Joshua and Margaret (Swift) Hall, both natives of Bedford County. The father was born about 1801, and died in 1854. The mother Was born September 14, 1815, and is still living. Flower Swift, our subject's maternal grandfather, was a native of North Carolina, born June 3, 1787, and died in January, 1851. His wife Catherine Swift, was