James J. Thompson was born July 13, 1842. His parents were Jeremiah and Angeline Thompson. The father was born December 7, 1801, and died March 2, 1864; the mother was born July 3, 1804, and died November 9, 1869. At the age of twenty our subject entered the Confederate Army as orderly sergeant, in 1862, joining Company E, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, and served in the army until the surrender, when he returned home. He engaged in farming, which occupation he still follows. October 11, 1870, he was married to Irena S. Winstead. She was born in Humphreys County, Tenn., January 26, 1852. This union has resulted in seven children: Lela A., born September 11, 1871, and died March 18, 1873; Laura A., born January 30, 1873, and died January 21, 1874; Dorsey O., born August 7, 1875; Willie A., born September 30, 1877, died October 18, 1882; Hester L., born February 9, 1880; Lizzie M., born February 2, 1882, and Walter S., born May 5, 1884. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Thompson is a Democrat.