A history of Tennessee and Tennesseans, Volume 5
By Will Thomas Hale, Dixon Lanier Merritt
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York; 1913

Pages 1316-1317, John C. Revell.

The above-named gentleman is one of the well known and much respected planters of Obion county, where he has extensive property; and one of the prominent citizens of the thriving little city of Obion, where he maintains his residence, one of the several fine houses which he possesses here.

Tennessee has been Mr. Revell’s home since 1834 and Obion county for about forty-seven years. His birthplace was in North Carolina, where his parents spent a large portion of their lives. They were Axim Revell and Martha (Norvill) Revell and were the parents of ten children, of whom the sixth in line was J. C. Revell, the subject of this biographical review. The date of his birth was March 16, 1828.

As a boy, Mr. Revell’s first interest in Tennessee began when in 1834 his parents removed from North Carolina to the part of Tennessee which was then known as Hayward county. He early turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and in this pursuit he has succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations.

In 1852 Mr. Revell was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jones, of Crockett. With the passing of the years their home was brightened by the coming of seven children, of whom three are yet living. They are Mrs. Odelia Cunningham of Obion; Mr. Guy Revell, a farmer of this county, district 14, and Mr. Milton Revell, also a farmer of district 14.

The second marriage of J. C. Revell took place in 1903, at which time he was united to Mrs. Mary Allsadine (Fairleigh) Seabolt. The Church of the Disciples, or Christian Church, is that of the religious affiliation of Mr. Revell and his family. He has long been associated with leading fraternal societies, having belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since the year 1854, and being also prominently connected with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons since 1867.

Mr. Revell’s agricultural property consist of nearly four hundred acres of fertile land. Three hundred acres of this is now under cultivation, its chief grain product being corn. Pastures for the feeding of stock also comprise a part of its extent. Mr. Revell is an experienced planter and his farming operations also have the advantage of being conducted by means of the best machinery of modern and most approved construction. Not only is J. C. Revell very successful as an agriculturist, but also is he held in high personal esteem by all who know him. He is now probably the oldest citizen in the village of Obion. Being a cripple, he could not serve in the war, but his sympathies were with the South. He would never accept office and is still active and hale and hearty.