Source:  Goodspeed’s History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman, and Lewis Counties Tennessee, published 1886

John A. Couch, son of Thomas and Charity Couch, was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., December 19, 1848. The father came to Tennessee in 1865, and settled on a farm. He died in 1875, and his wife in 1883. John A. resided with his father on the farm until twenty years of age, when he became the architect of his own fortunes and chose the free and independent life of a farmer as his calling through life. He settled on and tilled a portion of his father’s farm, consisting of 160 acres of very good land. His farms contain considerable ore and is well adapted to raising the different cereals and cotton. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1879, and has always voted the Democratic ticket. In 1868 he and Mary J. Cobb were united in marriage. She was born in Alabama, in 1850, and is the daughter of James and Mary J. Cobb. To their union were born five children: Manda E., Emily C., Mary E., William A., and Charles E. Craig, James, a native of Maury County, was born October 25, 1822, son of Johnson and Martha (Blackwood) Craig, both native of Orange County, N.C. His father came to Maury County in 1808, ans was a mechanic by trade. He farmed and raised stock also, ans was an intelligent man and a useful citizen. His death occurred in October , 1848, his age being seventy-six years. His wife died in 1856. James was reared on the farm with limited education, and when twenty-two years old began farming for himself, and has continued thus until the present. For a short time he lived in Lewis County. In July 1844, he wedded Miss Melissa Voorhies, who bore him ten children: Johnson, Sidney, Emily, Elizabeth, Anna, Millard, Mattie, Joseph, Willie, and Walter. Mr. Craig is a Democrat and was clerk of the Lewis County Circuit Court in the seventies, and also served several years as magistrate. He is a Mason, and himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most substantial citizens of the county. His son, Millard, is the proprietor of a general store at Summertown, having established his business in 1884. He keeps a fine stock and has a good and growing trade. He is one of the most enterprising and promising young business men in the county.

FamilySearch Tree profile:  https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KJW4-6MX

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This biographical sketch was transcribed by Reita Jones Burress and posted on-line by Jane N. Powell on September 10, 1998, with the following caveat:

Not having a hard copy to proof read, errors will probably occur in the following document. Reita and I will correct them to the original Goodspeed from time to time. Thank you for your patience.

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