Capt. B. M. TILLMAN, a prominent citizen and farmer residing in the Sixth District, Chester County, was born, in Marshall County, Tenn., October 21, 1840, and is one of nine children born to the union of John and Nancy (Edwards) TILLMAN. Eight of these children are living; one. T. H. died while in. the Confederate service. The parents were both natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1817, came to Tennessee when a young man, located in Marshall County, where he remained until about 1841. He then settled in Henderson County, and was a farmer and mechanic by occupation. He was a prominent citizen and died in 1866. The mother was born in 1818 and died in 1880:
Capt. B. M. received his education in the district schools near home and in the Montezuma Academy. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-second Tennessee Infantry, and occupied the position of orderly sergeant. After the consolidation of the Fifty-first and Fifty-second Regiments he was elected captain and took an active part in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and many minor engagements. He received three slight wounds at Chickamauga, and was once captured and held a prisoner for about four months. In the spring of 1864 he was assigned a special department, and July 4, 1865, returned home.
In 1866 he married Miss M. A. NEWSOM, a native of Marshall County. Ala., born in 1840, and the daughter of’ W. V. and Mahala NEWSOM. To our subject and wife were born two children: John V. and an infant. After the war Mr. TILLMAN located near where he now resides, and began farming, which occupation he has continued up to the present time. In 1872-73 he represented the people in the State Legislature, and was elected to the same position in 1876-77. In 1880 he was elected State senator of the Eighteenth Senatorial District, composed of five counties. Capt. TILLMAN is an active progressive man and one to take the lead in all public enterprises. A short time since he was admitted to the bar. Hie is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Grange order.
Transcribed by David Donahue