"J. M. Fowlkes was born in Virginia July 2, 1846, the eldest son of Henry A. and Emma M. (Chilton) Fowlkes.  The father was born in Virginia in 1812, and the mother in the same state in 1819.  In 1836 the father went to Alabama and later came to Tennessee, but returned to Virginia in 1839.  In 1849 they came to Montgomery County, Tenn., and have ever since resided in that county.  Our subject was educated at Stewart College, of Clarksville, and in 1862 began clerking at a store in this city, and continued as a clerk for several years.  In 1870 he engaged in the sewing machine business and for ten years was general agent for Wheeler and Wilson Company and had the contract for an extensive territory.  In 1881 he began dealing in sewing machine for himself, and buys direct from the manufacturers.  He was married, July 2, 1873, to Miss Rebecca L. Davis, daughter of Jefferson Davis.  She was born in 1848.  Mr. Fowlkes is a Democrat in his political views.  He is a member of the Christian Church and his wife belongs to the Baptist Church."

 

Goodspeed History of Tennessee, 1886

Submitted by ACDOGGETT@aol.com