John M. Speight was born at White Bluff, Dickson County, Tenn., January 7, 1856, the son of James Speight. His mother and father were both born in Dickson County, and are alive at present, living at the old homestead. At the age of seventeen our subject went to live with his uncle Benjamin McCaslin, in order to become a mechanic, and remained with him until 1876, at which time he engaged in railroading and continuing at that business for about a year, when he returned to his uncle and resumed work at his trade. Remaining two years he went to Fulton County, Ky., and worked at his trade for about eighteen months when he again returned to his uncle. He finally bought his uncle’s business and ran the same until December, 1884, when he removed to Cumberland Furnace and engaged in merchandising, at which place he now resides. He was married April 30, 1882, to Eudora A. Micks. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat, a self-made man, and stands high in his community.