James N. Mitchener, a prominent farmer and citizen of the First District, was born in Sumner County in 1827, and was one of fourteen children born to William B. and Elizabeth (Caudle) Mitchener. The father was of Dutch extraction, born in North Carolina in 1775, and moved to Sumner County when a boy, being one of the earliest settles of the county. He was twice married, first to Mary Brien when he was just twenty-two years old. They had four children; after her death he married our subject's mother. He died in 1851, a highly esteemed citizen and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother was born in North Carolina in 1785, and died in 1849. Our subject was raised and educated in Sumner County. In November, 1848, he married Miss Narcissa, daughter of Samuel and Mary Wilkes, residents of Sumner County, but natives of North Carolina. Three of the four children born to them are living: Ann E., wife of T. J. Glenn; Lorilla Jane, wife of D. P. Dickenson, and Franklin C. Mrs. Mitchener died in 1855, and in July, 1856, he married Miss Cinderella, a sister of his first wife. Five of the eight children born to this marriage are living: John and Nancy Ellis (twins), the latter died; Samuel L. and Louisa L. (twins), the latter is the wife of A. J. Dickerson; Jeff Davis (deceased); Ulysses and Narcissa L. (twins), the latter deceased, and Cordelia C., wife of F. F. Hamilton. Mr. Mitchener has lived in Sumner County since his marriage excepting two years, 1858-59, that he spent in Henry County, and has lived on his present farm since 1862. He owns 155 acres of Sumner County's fertile land, well improved. He is a man of energy and undoubted integrity, and with the exception of eighteen months has been a magistrate in his district since 1865, also constable for a number of years, and was at one time lieutenant and captain of the militia. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. Cass in 1848. Mrs. Mitchener was born in Sumner County in 1829. They are both earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and valuable citizens of the county.