James F. Agnew was born in Maury County, Tennessee, February 16, 1839, and is the son of John Agnew, a native of Virginia born October, 1804. The father began working for himself at the age 20, and was a shoe-maker by trade. He followed this for 15 years, after which he engaged in farming. In 1827 he took for his second wife Catherine Mitchell, who bore him 8 children, our subject being one of them. His first wife bore him two children: William and Sarah, but died shortly after the birth of Sarah. The second wife died July 30, 1883. She was a good wife and mother, and her death was universally regretted, as also was the death of her husband, John Agnew, who followed her May 28, 1884. They were both worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The father of John Agnew was also of the same name. He was born in Ireland, was a shoe maker by trade, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject remained on the farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he began farming for himself. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E. Third Tennessee Regiment Infantry, and was in the battle of Fort Donaldson. He was captured at the latter place, but was afterward released. He was again captured at Jackson, Mississippi, where he remained a prisoner for some time, but at last was exchanged and paroled, and came home. September 18, 1862, he married Manda P. Turner, a native of Tennessee, born December 20, 1843, and the daughter of William and M. C.(Candle) Turner. To Mr. and Mrs. Agnew were born three children: Effie D., born December 5, 1864; Rufus F., born February 2nd, 1867, and Addie C., born February 23, 1870. Our subject is a successful farmer, and he and family are members of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics.

Source: History of Tennessee: From the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall Counties. Nashville, Tenn: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1886.