Amos T. Hassell is a son of Enoch and Joanna (Ensley) Hassell, and was born in Tyrell County, N. C., August 15, 1814. His parents were also natives of North Carolina. His father came to Tennessee in 1834, locating in Perry County (now Decatur County), where he followed farming, being a justice of the peace until his death, which occurred about the beginning of the war. He had been quite a distinguished politician in former years, and represented Tyrell County in the North Carolina Legislature. Amos T. Hassell came to Tennessee with his father and at the age of twenty-one left home to do for himself, having little or no education. Later he acquired a good business education by his own exertions, and soon after leaving the paternal roof he began life as a clerk and soon engaged in the mercantile business for himself at Carrollville. In 1844 he came to Waynesboro and continued the same business until 1860, when he sold out and repaired to his farm in the Fourth District until 1871, when he returned to town and built his present large commodious hotel and business house, and conducted both in his usual successful manner. In August, 1885, he retired from the management of the hotel, but still conducts his mercantile establishment. Mr. Hassell was engaged in the mule trade, both before and after the war, and also managed a tannery, saddlery and shoe manufactory. He has in all probability contributed more to the business industries and prosperity of Wayne County than any other one citizen. April 30, 1846, he married Mary Ann Biffel, a sister of Col. Jacob Biffel. She died in 1860 leaving three children: Ella Ann (wife of Dr. Buchanan), Mary C. (Mrs. J. W. Montague), and Joanna (Mrs John F. Montague). August 22, 1861, he married Mrs. Eliza Jane (Heron) Jones. They have one daughter. Laura E., the wife of Frank Boyd. Mr. Hassell is and always has been an unswerving Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren. He served six years as clerk and master under Chancellor Stephen Provat, before and up to the war, and also under Judge R. H. Rose after the war. He is a Mason, Royal Arch and Council degrees, and is one of the leading and enterprising business men of Wayne County.