A. J. JARRELL, one of Shelbyville’s best business men, was born March 15, 1845, in Davidson County, Tenn., being a son of Wesley and Martha (Lovell) Jarrell. The father was a native of Kentucky. He died about 1854. The mother was born in 1812, and is now living.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. In 1860 he came with his mother to Shelbyville, and farmed a short time, and then worked about in different vocations till 1866. He then learned the tinner’s trade, and in 1868 opened up his business, dealing in stoves and tinware. He has been quite successful, and carries on farming also, now owning a fine farm adjoining Shelbyville. He carries about $5,000 stock, and does the leading business of the kind in the county.
In 1867 he married Miss Helen Givens, who bore him six children. This wife died in 1881, and in 1882 he married Miss Lina Givens, a sister of the former wife. One child has been born to this union. Mr. Jarrell, his wife and eldest daughter are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Jarrell is a Blue Lodge Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican. He served one year in Company A, Fourth Tennessee Mounted Infantry, United States Army. He is thoroughly a self-made man, and one of the very prominent citizens of the county.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.