Z. V. Dabbs, a prominent old citizen, residing at Newburg, Lewis Co., Tenn., and a native of the same county was born April 8, 1827, son of John and Winphra Dabbs, who were born in North Carolina and emigrated to Tennessee at an early date, locating to Lewis County. they were married about 1823, and became the parents of the following ten children: William P. Dabbs, Paten G. Dabbs, Z. V. Dabbs, Willis C. Dabbs, Matilda C. Dabbs, Mary J. Dabbs, John C. Dabbs, Richard I. Dabbs, Alsey C. Dabbs, and Winphra E. Dabbs. The father died in 1856, and the mother in 1865. Our subject is the third child born to their union. He was educated in the common schools of Lewis County, and from boyhood until 1877, was engaged in tilling the soil. Owing to failing health at that time, he was compelled to give up farm life, and has since been acting as deputy for the county officials. He has been magistrate of Lewis County for many years, and was first elected to the office in 1849. He has been fairly successful, and is regarded as a prosperous and industrious man. In 1847 he married Lucinda Grinder, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Grinder, who were natives of North Carolina, and early settlers of Lewis County, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Dabbs are the parents of four children: John R. Dabbs, William C. Dabbs, Mary E. Dabbs, and Admira C. Dabbs. Mr. Dabbs is a Democrat, and the family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Source: History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry Hickman and Lewis Counties; Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminiscences, Observations, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1886.