Member of Tennessee House, 23rd and 24th General Assemblies, 1839-43; representing Hawkins and Sullivan counties; Republican. Born on February 4, 1782; place not known, but probably in Washington County, North Carolina (now Tennessee); son of Captain John and Nancy Agnes (McMahon) Fain, both natives of Pennsylvania. Educated for the law and practiced at Rogersville, Hawkins County. Built the first brick house in Rogersville, a combination hotel and store building. Director of Rogersville State Bank, 1817; postmaster of Rogersville, 1823-1839. Married (1st) on June 26, 1806, to Sallie Gammon, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Gamble) Gammon; children–Hiram, Nancy (Mrs. Sarah R. Peoples), Richard Gammon, John H., Eliza Ruth (Mrs. George R. Powel), George G., Nicholas Looney Fain, and an unnamed infant. Courthouse commissioner; justice of the peace, chairman of county court, mayor of Rogersville. Referred to as “Major” Fain, but no record of military duty. He was married (2nd), on May 1, 1832, to Mrs. Eliza (Rhea) Anderson, daughter of Joseph and Frances (Braden) Rhea; no children by this marriage. Died in Hawkins County on July 2, 1849; buried in New Presbyterian Cemetery, Rogersville.

Source: Bradford, The Fains of Tennessee, 19; Rosters and Soldiers, 636-37; Railroad Advocate, July 19, 1831; Rogersville Review, January 9, 1941; Hawkins County Will Book, I, 1797-1886, Pt. 1, p. 193; Hawkins County Miscellaneous Records, 45-47.

From Biographical Directory: Tennessee General Assembly, 1796-1967, Issue 3