James O. Henry, one of the well known business men of Ripley, is a son of
Alexander and Sarah (Carruth) Henry. Both parents were born and raised in
South Carolina, and moved to Wilson County, Tenn., when young, where they
married. In 1831 they moved to Madison County, and two years later to
Lauderdale County, and five years later to Haywood County. Five sons and three
daughters were born to them; only two now living. The father was a farmer and
a Whig before the war, and a Democrat afterward. He had three brave sons in
the war; one held the rank of captain, and one of first lieutenant. Mr. and
Mrs. Henry were Presbyterians. James O. Henry, is of Scotch-Irish descent,
and was born in Madison County, Tenn., April 4, 1832, and was raised in
Haywood County. His educational advantages were limited; while growing up he
learned the blacksmith’s trade, and when twenty-one, commenced work for
himself, and for thirty-five years has worked steadily at his trade. In 1855
he married Martha Hendren, by whom he had one son and six daughters; the
entire family are Methodists; he is a firm Democrat. In 1860 he moved to
Lauderdale County, and in connection with his trade farmed. In 1881 he moved
to Ripley, to educate his children; he opened a blacksmith shop, and also took
boarders. In 1884, he moved to the hotel which he now keeps, and is doing
well, and he is also interested in the furniture business. Mr. Henry has been
a resident of this county for twenty-six years, and for five years has been
intimately connected with the business interests of Ripley. He is well known
all over the county and highly respected.

Goodspeed’s Biographies of Lauderdale Co., TN