Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

James M. KNOX, a well known, retired merchant of Bradley County, and a resident of Charleston, was born July 11, 1822, in Gwinnett County, Ga. His parents of Scotch-Irish descent, were David L. and Elizabeth (MONTGOMERY) KNOX, both natives of Jackson County, Ga. The father was born about 1801, and came to McMinn County in 1830, and two years later moved into the Cherokee Nation, where he lived until 1838. He finally settled in Bradley County, where he died in 1854. He was a prosperous farmer, a Whig, and third cousin to President James K. POLK. His wife was born in 1800, and married in Jackson County, Ga. about 1820. Of her fourteen children, all lived to maturity, eight still survive. Mrs. KNOX died in 1869. Her father, Hugh MONTGOMERY, was at one time Indian agent of the Ocoee Purchase. Our subject was the second child. He received his education in the common schools of Polk County. In 1846, in partnership with Erby BOYD, he established a general merchandise store at Benton. In 1849 he moved on the Camp farm, on Hiwassee River, and for two years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1852 he came to Charleston, and in partnership with H. B. HENEGAR, sold merchandise two years, and then embarked in the mercantile business with T. J. KNOX, which they continued until 1859, and then discontinued until after the close of the war, when he again formed a partnership, in the same business, with T. J. KNOX and R. L. GRAVES, which continued until 1871. In 1871 he built an elegant residence in Charleston and retired from business. At the organization of the Charleston Bank he became president, which position he filled eleven years. He is one of the most respected citizens, a man of fine business qualifications, and a stanch Democrat. In February, 1848, he married Miss Nancy A. CAMP, who was born in Bradley County, in 1832. Both are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

FamilySearch Tree profile:  https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/277H-BBJ

This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

Click here to read and download a digitized version of the original volume free at the Internet Archive. A reprint version is available for viewing and downloading free from FamilySearch.  You will require a free FamilySearch login to browse records.

If you have corrections or wish to provide more information about the individual, please contact us (link in menu).