SAMUEL T. HARDISON, M. D., one of the leading practitioners of Lewisburg, was born in Maury County, Tenn., February 13, 1841.  He was reared on a farm and education in country schools.  At the age of nineteen he began the study of medicine under his father and in 1860 he entered the Reform Medical College, at Macon, Ga., where he took one course and then, in 1861 enlisted in Company G, Twenty-fourth Tennessee Infantry Confederate States Army.  Early in 1862 he was promoted to a position in the medical department of the army, serving in all four years.  In 1865 Dr. Hardison began the practice of medicine at Lewisburg and has ever since continued in that profession, graduation in 1877 from the medical department of the University of Nashville.  He has also been interested in the drug business, hardware trade, house building, livery business, planing-mill, and at present is a director of the Bank of Lewisburg.  He has once been president of Marshall County Medical Society, having been a member of that society since its organization.  He has also filled the office of vice-president of the Medical Association of Tennessee.  Dr. Hardison was married in 1868 to Georgia Davidson, daughter of Dr. I. S. Davidson, of Bedford County, Tenn., the fruits of this union being seven children.  Both he and Mrs. Hardison are members of the Christian Church.  Our subject is a relative of the American Gen. Howe, of Revolutionary fame.  His parents, Dr. Joel and Jane (Long) Hardison, were natives of North Carolina; they were married in 1820, and eleven children, four of whom are living, blessed their union.  The father was a Jacksonian Democrat; he died in 1873.  The mother died in 1884.

HIRAM HARRIS, an old and prominent farmer, was born October 20, 1806, in North Carolina, and is a son of James and  Nancy (Thompson) Harris, both natives of North Carolina.  They ere married in this State, and in 1808 cane to Tennessee and located in Bedford County, where they spent the remainder of their days.  The father followed agricultural pursuits, and during Indian troubles he was captain of a company under Jackson.  In 1863 he died, and about seven years later his widow too passed away, both living to a ripe old age.  Our subject was educated in the old-time schools, and at the age of twenty-one bought a farm of his own and began his career as a free and independent farmer.  In 1837 he came to Marshall County, and has made this his home ever since.  In 1828 he wedded Jane P. Johnson, who was born in Davidson County, Tenn., July 3[?], 1807, and to them were born eleven children.  Mr. Harris is a Democrat and he and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church.  He has a fine farm of over 200 acres.  He has been a resident of this county for nearly thirty years and is a highly respected citizen.  He and wife are enjoying good health and fifty-eight years of wedded life.

ROBERT C. HARRIS, merchant at Silver Creek, was born September 24, 1856, in Marshall county, reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.  At the age of seventeen he began working at the mechanic’s trade and followed this exclusively for five years.  In 1878 he opened a store of general merchandise at Silver Creek, where he has been successfully engaged ever since.  In 1880 he was united in marriage to Mary A. Perry, a native of Marshall county, born December 20, 1857.  The fruits of this union were two children:  Lula M. And Homer T.  For eight years Mr. Harris has held the position of postmaster at Silver Creek.  He is a Democrat in politics.  He is the son of James G. And Susan L. (Hill) Harris.  The father was born in Wilson  County in 1811, and the mother in Maury County in 1818.  The were married in the latter county and after a short residence there moved to Marshall County to make this their permanent home.  Their family consisted of seven children – vie boys and two girls.  Only the boys are living.  Two are merchants, one is a teacher, and two are farmers.  The father was twice married, before he wedded Miss Hill.  He was a farmer, but worked at mercantile arts of nearly all kinds.  He was a Democrat and for several years was a member of the County Court of Maury County.  In 1882 he was called from the toils of earth.  Since the death of her husband the mother has lived on the old homestead with her son.

VALENTINE O. HAYES, dry goods merchant, of Lewisburg, was one of seven children born to Hiram and Sallie (Webb) Hayes.  The father was born in North Carolina and when young came to this State, and after marriage settled in this county.  About 1856 he moved to Missouri, where the mother died,  He was a blacksmith and a wood workman by trade.  Our subject was born June 20, 1854, in Marshall County.  After the death of his father, at the age of eight, he was bound out to a farmer, who gave him but little schooling though he furnished him abundance of work.  On reaching manhood he came to Lewisburg and entered the store of Montgomery Bro. As salesman.  At the end of four years he opened a store of general merchandise  In 1874 he built that commodious brick building where he now conducts his business.  For a short time he ran a hardware and a dry goods store, but having sold the former he made a specialty of the latter.  In 1881 he wed Zadie London, by whom he has two children.  Mr. Hayes is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  He is accounted one of Lewisburg’s most enterprising citizens, and has erected three of the best buildings in the town.  His building, where he is engaged in business, was the first business brick building erected in Lewisburg.

WILLIAM P. IRVINE, grocery and grain dealer, was born August 1, 1845, in Elkton, Giles County, where he grew up and received a common English education. His parents were Nathaniel and Narcissa (DAVIS) IRVINE. The father was born in North Carolina, and the mother in Lincoln County, Tenn. After marriage they settled in Giles County, where they remained until 1852. They then moved to Georgia, where the father died. After his death the mother returned to Lincoln County, Tenn., and married H. N. COWDEN. They located in this county, where they have lived ever since. The mother was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1861 our subject volunteered in Company I, Thirty-second Tennessee Infantry, and remained in that company till 1864. He then joined Gen. Forrest’s command, and served till the surrender at Gainsville, Ala., a period of over three and one half years. He was imprisoned seven months at Camp Morton in Lafayette, Ind., and was exchanged at Vicksburg. He then returned and engaged in farming. In 1865 he wedded Eliza GARRETT, and to them were born two children: Roy and Mamie. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and is commissioner of this taxing district, and also one of the directors of the Bank of Lewisburg. In 1883 Mr. IRVINE came to Lewisburg and opened the business in which he is now engaged. He is a good business man and has met with good success.

WILLOUGHBY A. JACKSON, a leading business man of Marshall County, was born October 7 1834, in Wilson County, Tenn. He was a farmer boy and received a limited education, never having attended school more than nine months altogether. At the age of eighteen he left home, and after spending a year at Charleston, S.C., came to Marshall County and worked a short time in a livery stable. He then learned the saddler’s trade and bought out the man for whom he worked, but at last he turned his attention to farming. In 1857 he married Margaret PHIPER, by whom he had nine children, five of whom are living. He is a member of the Christian Church, and she if the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he votes for the man rather than the party, though he holds to Republican principles. At present he is the owner of 700 acres of land, three stores and two saw mills, besides he is engaged in stock-trading. He is a resident of Marshall County, and is accounted one of the most stirring, energetic, successful business men of the country. He is the son of James and Martha (EVANS) JACKSON, both of whom were reared and married in North Carolina. In 1830 they came to Wilson County, and after living there fourteen years returned to North Carolina. In 1869 they returned to Tennessee, and after several moves they went to West Tennessee, where they passed the last years of their lives. They were both Baptists. The father served in the Seminole war and four years in the late war. In the first he held the position of orderly sergeant and a captain, and in the last he held the position of captain and colonel. The mother died in 1871, and two years later the father followed.

RICHARD T. JOHNSON. William Johnson, father of our subject, was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1814, and was married to Eliza J. MOURTON, who was born in  Bedford County in 1819. They resided for a short time in Lawrence County, and then took up their abode in Giles County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was an extensive farmer and stock raiser, and for many years filled the office of magistrate. He was married twice, and died in 1883. The mother’s death occurred in 1867. Richard inherits English blood from both parents. He was born in Lawrence County, September 20 1840, and his early schooling was limited to a few terms. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Second Tennessee Confederate Infantry. At the battle of Perryville. Ky., he received six wounds from one volley of the enemy, and although seriously wounded escaped with his life. He was in eighteen of the bloodiest battles of the war, and after serving two years was promoted to second lieutenant. In 1865 he wedded Laura A. COCHRAN, by whom he has had six children. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are Methodists, and has been a resident of the county twenty-one years.

HON. A. JONES, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Cornersville, Tenn., and son of John R. and Martha A. (LANE) JONES, was born in Marshall County, May 15, 1839. His boyhood days were spent on a farm and in attending the common schools; later he attended the school of Pascal, at Nashville, and for some time studied medicine under Dr. Thomas LIPSCOMB. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1858, and later took a course of lectures at New Orleans, and another at Belleview Medical College at New York. In 1862 he opened an office in Cornersville, where he has since resided, with the exception of four years during the war. He served in Company H, Third Tennessee Infantry, as a lieutenant, and after a short service was made a surgeon of the Seventeenth Regiment. In 1862 he wedded Maxie HARRIS, by whom he had four children, three of whom are living. The Doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife is a Presbyterian. In 1871 he represented Marshall County in the State Legislature, and filled the position ably for one term. He is a Democrat, and owns and operates a farm of 235 acres. His parents were born in North Carolina, and were married in Tennessee. The father was a physician, but not liking that profession he took up farming, and eventually became one of the most successful farmers in the country. He was a Democrat, and died of the cholera in 1865. The mother died in 1885. She was of Welsh descent and the father of English.

M. D. KELLEY, M. D., is a son of Cary T. and Nancy (WILKINS) KELLEY, who were married in Giles County, and soon after settled on a farm, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were Methodist and the father was a soldier in the war of 1812. He became a very prosperous farmer and was one of the first to introduce Berkshire hogs and Durham cattle into Marshall County. He was an old-line Whig and died in 1854. The mother lived until 1885. M. D. KELLEY, our subject, was born September 6 1832, in Giles County. At the age of seventeen he entered the Cumberland University and graduated in 1853. He then took a course in medicine at the University of Nashville and received the degree of M. D. in 1857. He spent some time in the State hospital and after three years practice at Spring place in Marshall County, came to Cornersville in 1861, where he has since resided. In 1856 Margaret J. GORDON was united to him in marriage. To them were born three children– two sons and one daughter. The eldest son is a farmer and the other is studying for the ministry. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is conservative in politics, and is a successful physician of the county. He belongs to the Masonic, I. O. F., K. of H., K of G. R., and Good Templar fraternities, and People’s Mutual Life Insurance Company.

JAMES F. KENNEDY, merchant of Cornersville, was born in Green County Tenn., October 4 1830, son of Daniel and Margaret (KENNEDY) KENNEDY, who were also born in Green County. They were the parents of seven children and were members of the Presbyterian Church. The father was a tanner and merchant, and quite an extensive farmer. He was magistrate a number of years and was a Whig in politics. He died in 1861 and the mother in 1877. Our subject assisted his father in the tan-yard, store and farm, and at the age of twenty-one began earning his own living. He worked for about ten years for wages, and in 1861 opened a store in his native county, but was compelled to abandon it, owing to the war. In 1866 he opened a store in Cornersville, Marshall County, Tenn., where he has carried on the business successfully ever since. His marriage with Hannah C. McGAUGHEY was celebrated in 1852. They have had six children, five of whom are living. Mr. KENNEDY owns a farm of 200 acres, and as a business man has met with good success. He is a staunch Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN T. KERCHEVAL, a leading groceryman of Lewisburg, was born April 24, 1850, in Lewisburg, where he grew up and was educated. He is the son of Peter and Susan C. (EWING) KERCHEVAL, natives of Tennessee. They were married in this county and to them were born nine children. The father was a lawyer, being one of the ablest attorneys in his county. For many years he was a clerk and master of the chancery court. He died in 1867 and the mother in 1883. The KERCHEVALS are of French descent. The name was formerly CHEVAL – a French word, meaning horse — and in some unknown way the KER became prefixed. Dr J. M. and Mayor KERCHEVAL, of Nashville, are descendants of that name. Having prepared himself for Yale College, our subject had his plans frustrated by the death of his father. He then engaged in the dry goods business, as a salesman, where he remained for seven years. He then opened a grocery store in 1883, in which he has done a thriving business ever since. Having studied law under his father, he was admitted to the bar in 1871 and practiced three years. He was a promising young lawyer and had a good practice, but had not learned the art of economizing, consequently, at the end of three years, he found himself considerably in debt. He then began to retrieve his fallen fortunes and concluded to try merchandising. For ten years he has been engaged in the business at Lewisville, and has been quite successful.

WILLIAM M. KILLGORE is a son of Thomas KILLGORE, who was a native of Cocke County, Tenn., and there married Jane COOPER, who was born in the same place, and became the mother of five children. The father was a farmer until late in life, and then kept a hotel for some time. About 1846 the mother died, and he afterward married Julia SMITH, who bore him five children. Her death occurred in 1883. Previous to the war he was a Whig. He is now a Republican, and is seventy-eight years of age. William M. KILLGORE was born in Cocke County, December 19 1839, and was pursuing his studies at the breaking out of the war. In  1861 he volunteered in Company C, Thirty-first Tennessee Infantry, and during four years of service was in many hard-fought battles, but received only one slight wound. After the siege of Knoxville his regiment was mounted. In 1865 he came to Marshall County, where he has since resided and farmed. Penelope J. BLACKBURN became his wife in 1867 and died in  1874, leaving two sons. In 1877 he married Woodly FAIN, and to them were born five children. Both MR. and Mrs. KILLGORE are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

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Source: Biographical Appendix, The Goodspeed History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford, Marshall Counties of Tennessee from The Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee, 1886.

Transcribed by Paulette Carpenter, 2005