Marcus Briley, one of the early residents and a substantial farmer of the county, residing in Central Township five miles west of Lamar, is a native of Sumner County, Tenn., born on the 25th of December, 1837, his parents being James and Jane (Bandy) Briley, and his grandparents Samuel and Rachel Briley. The latter couple were born in North Carolina, and were early settlers of Tennessee, in which State they died. James Briley was a farmer by occupation, and, after removing to Tennessee with his parents, there made his home until his death, in His wife was born in Virginia, and also died in Tennessee, her death occurring in 1866. To them were born six daughters and three sons, of whom our subject is the youngest. He lived with his parents until over thirty-one years of age, and received his education in the common schools of Tennessee. In 1857 he was married to Miss Nancy Toliver, who was born in Robertson County, Tenn., and died in that State in 1868, having become the mother of three children: Charles T.; James L. and Laura F. On the 9th of March 1865, Mr. Briley was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Senter, who was born in Sumner County, Tenn., February 22, 1841, being a daughter of Luke and Zoritha Senter. To this marriage six sons were born: William F., John F., Edgar D., Robert M., Leonard M. and Corry M. In 1867 Mr. Briley removed with his family to Saline County, Mo., where he was engaged in farming until 1873, then moving to the farm where he now resides, which consists of 157 1/2 acres of finely improved land, on which are three living wells. Mr. Briley is a Democrat, and his first vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency. Mr. Briley's father, James Briley, and also his second wife's grandfather, William Durham, served through the War of 1812 under Gen. Andrew Jackson, and took an active part in the battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815. Mrs. Frances E. (Senter) Briley's grandparents, William and Frances Durham, were born in North Carolina, and were among the first settlers in Sumner County, Tenn.