Submitted and Coded by Jane Norton Powell
Thomas W. Adams, general merchant, was born in McNairy County,Tenn., June 22, 1846, son of J. M. and Ann H. (Hamilton) Adams, and is of English-French lineage. His father was born in old Virginia, in 1806, and his mother in Lawrence County, Tenn., in 1822. The family came to Tennessee about 1835, and settled in McNairy County, where the father died. Jeremiah Adams was a Virginian, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in McNairy County,in 1844. Thomas W. Adams is the fourth of his father's family of ten children, eight of whom are living. He received a common school education, and followed a farmer's life until 1870, when he engaged in the grocery business in Humboldt, Gibson County, where he remained twelve years, and then came to Milan, Tenn., where he has since been one of its principal business men. He is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for Seymour and Blair. October 25, 1882 he led to Hymen's alter Miss Willie A. Walkins, who was born in Eddyville, Ky., in 1861, daughter of T. J. and Carrie Walkins. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
J. W. Altman is the eldest child of Richard and Zilpha (Burns) Altman [see sketch of Wylie A. Altman], and was born in Wayne County, N.C., January 12, 1828. He was only eighteen months old when his parents moved to Madison County, Tenn., and sixteen years old when he came to Gibson County. He attended school only about six months during his life, and as his father was blind, and he was the oldest son, he was obliged to assist in supporting the family. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, then began doing for himself, and for some time worked by the month. He took a lease on his father's farm for five years, but sold it before the time was out, and went to Madison County. Here he was married to Rachel A. Maddox, in 1850. She was born in Campbell County, Va., December 19, 1826, and became the mother of eleven children, seven of whom are living. Their second son, J. T., is a rising young physician of Gibson County, and a graduate of Vanderbilt University. Mr. and Mrs. Altman and five children are members of the Missionary Baptist Church; the other two are Presbyterians. Mr. Altman is a Democrat, and is a well-to-do farmer of the county. He own 287 acres of land. In 1862 he joined Company A, Col. Lee's regiment, Tennessee Confederate Infantry, but was discharged, after serving a short time, on account of ill health. After recovering, he joinedGen.Forrest's cavalry, and served until the close of the war.
Wylie A. Altman is the son of Richard H. and Zilpha (Burns) Altman, both born in North Corolina in 1808 and 1809, respectively. They were married in North Carolina, and soon after moved to West Tennessee, where they lived until 1851, then moved to Arkansas. Both were consistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the father was a Whig. He was overseer of a plantation and was poisoned by a negro, whom he had punished, and from the effects lost his eyesight. He died in 1859, and his widow and Wylie returned to Tennessee. She is still living and resides with her children. Wylie A. was born in Gibson County, Tenn., August 1, 1843, and was raised on a farm. He was obliged to lead his blind father while the latter worked; thus his educational advantages were very limited. During the war he held an office which required him to read and write, so that he improved very much in both these branches. He joined Company B, Col. Jones' battalion, in 1861, and served faithfully for four years. His last three years were spent in the infantry of which he was sergeant, and the last year first lieutenant in the cavalry. After his return to Arkansas he farmed, and in 1866 married Martha J.McCracken, by whom he had four children. She died in 1873, and late in the same year he married Mary C. Wylie, by whom he had eight children. Mr. Altman is a Democrat and owns 287 acres of land. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His first wife was a Methodist and his present wife is a Presbyterian.
James A. Aslin is a son of Thomas and Martha (Barham) Aslin who were born in North Carolina in 1805 and 1811, respectively. They were married in their native State, and in 1835 moved to Tennessee and located in Gibson County. They became the parents of nine children, and the mother, who was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, died in 1859. Thomas Aslin then married Mary A. Morris, by whom he had ten children. In 1884 the father moved to Arkansas, and although eighty-one years of age, is yet quite active. James A. Aslin was born in Guilford County, N.D., May 12, 1833. His early education was almost wholly neglected. Since attaining his majority he has followed farming for himself and owns 218 acres of good land. He was married to Mary A. Smith in 1853. She was born in Alabama September 9, 1825, and became the mother of two children: Nancy E. and William A. Mrs. Aslin died in 1882, and the following year he wedded Fannie Terry, who was born in Gibson County April 16, 1844. They have one child - Ella B. Mr. Aslin is a Democrat, and was constable about fifteen months. His wife is a church member.
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