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

John P. Tarpley was born in the “Old Dominion” November 21, 1804. His father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and came to Tennessee in 1808, and for three years was reside of Nashville, when which consisted of a few scattered log houses. A few houses marked the cities of Franklin and Columbia, and the city of Pulaski was an uninterrupted cane brake. Our subject is the fourth of twelve children of Alexander and Elizabeth (Abernathy) Tarpley, and is of English descent. The mother was a daughter of William Abernathy, a prominent citizen of Giles County, who lived a long and useful life. Our subject received a common school education, and by energy and economy is now the owner of 437 acres of land. He has been twice married, the first time to Temperance M. Stone, in 1827, daughter of Thomas Stone, of Virginia. Their children are as follows: William A., Elizabeth Agnes (Mrs. Robert Johnson), Catherine D. (Mrs. James Parks), Leonidas J., Sarah P. (Mrs. M. B. Harvey) and John R. Leonidas was killed at the battle of Perryville, and Benjamin M. at the battle of Shiloh, during the late war. Mr. Tarpley’s marriage to Helen M. Black, in 1857, resulted in the birth of three children: Charles C., Thomas D. and Mary V. Mr. Tarpley is an old line Democrat, and is a man noted for his integrity and fair dealing.

FamilySearch Tree profile:  https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KL63-83S

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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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