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John H. Lasley, a pioneer citizen of Tennessee, was born in 1818, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Pickard) Lasley, who were born in North Carolina and were married shortly after coming to Tennessee. The father was a farmer, and served in the war of 1812 under Jackson. He lived in Maury County at the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. His wife's death occurred fourteen years earlier. Up to the age of twenty-two our subject's days were spent on a farm. He was then married to Elizabeth A. Thompson, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Thompson. She was born in Maury County, in 1823, and is the mother of one daughter. His wife died in 1841 and the daughter in 1884. In 1845 he married Isabella N. Baldridge, daughter of James L. and N. (Henderson) Baldridge. She was born in Maury County, in 1819, and became the mother of seven children, one of whom is dead. She died in 1875. In 1877 he was married to Sarah J. (Frazier) Whittle, widow of Charles J. Whittle. By her he became the father of one son and one daughter, the former of whom is dead. This wife was born in Gibson County , in 1840. In 1855 he located on his present farm of 200 acres of fairly improved land. His possessions have been gained by his honesty, energy and perseverance. In May, 1861, he joined the Confederate Army, Forty-seventh Regiment Tennessee, and served about ten months, when he was compelled to return home on account of his health. He was at Shiloh and acted as captain, but was first lieutenant. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife belongs to the Baptist Church.
Alexander L. Lett was born in Gibson County on the 10th of June, 1830, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Milton) Lett. The father was a native of North Carolina, and at the age of three years was taken to Trigg County, KY., where he remained until he attained his majority. He came to Tennessee in 1833 and settled in Gibson County and lived in the county until his death, June 14, 1876. His wife still survives him at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. Our subject was reared on a farm, given a common school education, and in 1849 was united in marriage to Miss C.E. Abbott, who died April 17, 1856, leaving three children. In November, 1856, Mr. Lett married Martha A. Baker and their union resulted in the birth of several children. Our subject has always been a "tiller of the soil," and by honesty, industry and perseverance has accumulated considerable property. He owns 175 acres of good land in the Twenty-third District of Gibson County, and is a stanch Democrat and member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The family is of English descent.
Lewis Levy, M.D. (deceased), was born in St. Mary's, Ga., February 23, 1807, being a son of Lewis C. Levy, who came from England to America at an early day and amassed considerable wealth, which was afterward swept away by the ravages of the British soldiers in the war of 1812. From that time until his death he was a merchant of Philadelphia. Our subject was reared in the mercantile business with his father, and at the age of twenty-one years came west and located in Murfreesboro, where he followed mercantile pursuits until about 1832, when he came to Trenton and was engaged in the same business for a number of years. At the age of twenty-nine or thirty, seeing the need of competent physicians in this part of the county, he began the study of medicine and graduated later from the Louisville (Ky.) Medical College. He began practicing immediately and devoted the remainder of his life to his chosen profession, proving very successful in that work. He was very skillful as a physician and accumulated a handsome competency by many years of strict devotion to business. He took an active part in all public and private enterprises, and was noted for his charity to the poor and for his interest and aid in spreading the Christian faith. After joining the Methodist Church he obtained a license to preach and exercised his gifts long enough to receive deacon's orders, but domestic and professional engagements caused him to give up this work. In 1833 he married Phoebe Fite, of Gibson County, daughter of Thomas Fite, the first white settler of the county. To them were born twelve children, six of whom are living: Corilla, Lewis, Henrietta (Mrs. C.J. Pattison) Charles P., John P. and Nellie. Dr. Levy died November 4, 1879, having lived a long industrious and useful life. He was a lieutenant in the Seminole war of 1836.
Charles P. Levy, M.D., of Trenton, Tenn., son of the late Dr. Lewis Levy, was born in Gibson County November 24, 1846. He was educated in Andrew College and in 1864 enlisted in Company I, Col. Russell's regiment, Confederate Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He studied medicine under his father, and in 1867 entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated in 1870. Since that time he has practiced his profession in Trenton, and success has attended his efforts. May 17, 1871, he married Mattie E. Herndon, of Grenada, Miss., and their union was blessed in the birth of six children, only two of whom are living: Lewis and Kate. Their son Charles died quite recently. Dr. Levy is independent in politics and is a member of K. of P. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Thomas D. Locke is a North Carolinian, born in 1829, son of George and Fannie E. Locke, who were also North Carolinians, and came to Tennessee in 1830, bringing our subject with them. George Locke was a farmer and merchant and held the magistrate's office in Gibson County for many years. He and wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was an elder in the same and died in Gibson County in January, 1842. Shortly after his death his widow's mind became impaired, and in company with our subject, who was then but twelve years of age, traveled over the country for three years, and walked from Richmond, Va., to Texas. At the end of that time she was brought home, and with proper care her mind was restored. She departed this life in 1871. The most of Thomas D.'s early life was spent on a farm. He was married in 1854, but lived with his mother until her death. His wife, who was formerly Mollie White, was born in Gibson County in 1836, daughter of Crawford E. and Elizabeth White. To Mr. and Mrs. Locke were born two children. Mrs. Locke died in 1857, and in 1860 he married Mrs. Susan E. (Rogers) McCrary, daughter of Jonathan and Frances Rogers, and by her became the father of three children. All of his children are dead, save two. During the war Mr. Locke was with Bragg's army about eighteen months. He was appointed depot agent at Rutherford and still retains the position. He sold goods in Yorkville and Rutherford before the war, and now owns 200 acres of well improved land. He is a Mason and a stanch Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Thomas B. Love is one of nine children born to the marriage of Charles and Rhoda (Ham) Love. The father was born in the Old Dominion, and when quite young went to Alabama, where he married Mrs. Ham, a native of that State. In 1830 they moved from Alabama to Rutherford County, Tenn. The mother died in 1837, and late in the same year Mr. Love married Minerva Oliphant, who lived only a short time. He took for his third wife Mrs. Mary Smith, who had been married twice before. One son was born to them. Mr. Love was a Whig, and died in 1840. Thomas B. Love is of English and Scotch and Irish descent. He is a native of Limestone County, Ala., born November 11, 1823, and was educated in the common schools and was reared on a farm. At the early age of seventeen he began doing for himself, and after carpentering and studying medicine for a short time, he settled down to farming. Fannie Bethshares became his wife in 1848. She was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., April 21, 1823, and is the mother of six children. Before the war Mr. Love was a Whig, but has since been a Democrat. He came to Gibson County in 1849 and began merchandising in Humboldt, and, although he met with severe losses by fire and by the war, he now owns 110 acres of good land. He is one of the first citizens of the county, and he and wife and two children are members of the Christian Church.
Maj. Alexander W. Loving, agent of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, at Milan, is a native of Madison County, born January 18, 1831, son of Dr. Wilson and Mary H. (Edding) Loving, who were born respectively in Lovingston, Nelson Co., Va., and Limestone County, Ala. Dr. Wilson Loving came to Tennessee in 1825, locating first in Madison County, and soon after in Fayette County, where he spent the greater part of his life. He died in Haywood County in October, 1876. He was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pa., and was one of the most successful and thorough practitioners of West Tennessee. He was one of the leading spirits of the Whig party and held various county offices. He was very public-spirited and a man whose integrity was unquestionable. His son, Alexander W., was reared to manhood in Fayette County and secured a limited academical education in his youth. In 1855 he engaged in the commission and grocery business in Memphis, Tenn., continuing until 1859. Early in 1861 he assisted in drilling infantry and aided in organizing the Fourth Regiment, Mississippi Infantry. He then served in the ordnance department six months, then joined the Twelfth Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, and served as adjutant, with the rank of lieutenant, and at the formation of Gen. R.V. Richmond's brigade he was promoted to adjutant-general of the same, with the rank of captain, and afterward major. At the close of the war he resumed farming, and in 1869 accepted the position of agent for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Galloway. In 1871 he was given a similar position at McKenzie, and in September, 1873, came to Milan, where he has had charge of the Memphis division of the railroad. In October, 1857, he married Sallie J. Black, and ten children blessed their union: John D., Broomis, Alphonso V., Annie Carey, Mary, Daisy, Lizzie, Ruth, Flossie and Fannie. The Captain is a Democrat, but in ante-bellum days was an old line Whig. He is president of the board of education at Milan and is a member of the K. of P. and A.O.U.W. He and wife are members of the Baptist church, and he is a deacon in the same.
John D. Loving, agent of the Illinois Central Railroad, at Milan, Tenn., was born in Fayette County July 12, 1859, son of Maj. A.W. Loving, whose sketch appears above. John D. received an excellent early education, principally at McKenzie and in Milan. In 1878 he became a clerk under his father in the railroad business at this point, and in the fall of 1883 accepted a clerkship in the Illinois Central office at Milan. In April, 1885, he was promoted to his present position, which he has very able and satisfactorily filled. January 24, 1881, he married Miss Ida Davie, a native of Arkansas, and three children were born to this union: James D. (deceased), Nell and Bascombe. Mr. Loving is a Democrat in his political views, and is a member of the K. of P. fraternity. He and wife are members of the Baptist church. He is one of the enterprising younger citizens of Milan, and like his father, is a courteous and efficient railroad official.
R. P. Lowe, agent for Mobile & Ohio Railroad, at Humboldt, was raised in Louisiana, of Irish parents. He was left an orphan when quite young; received a free school education, after which he engaged at book-keeping at Okolona, Miss., where he resided several years. He was appointed agent at Baldwyn, Miss., in 1867, and was appointed agent at Humboldt in 1868, where he has resided ever since. He married Miss E. M. Simonton, at Shannon, Miss., February 4, 1867. They have four children--two boys and two girls--named Robert S., Gilbreath E., Eva May and Ella M. Lowe. The oldest, Robert S., is nearly seventeen years of age, is a good telegraph operator and attended Vanderbilt University, studying civil engineering. Gilbreath E., going on fifteen years of age, is attending school at home. He is a good telegraph operator. The girls are attending school, as it is the parents' aim to give their children as good an education as their means will allow, which is the best legacy that can be left them to make them useful men and women.
John D. Lusk, chief of police of Milan, Tenn., was born in Warren County May 25, 1838, son of Bird and Mary (Dickson) Lusk, also Tennesseans. Bird Lusk located in Carroll County in 1855. Here he lived until shortly before the war, when he removed across the State line to near Fulton, Ky., where he died about three years ago. John D. was reared on a farm and followed that pursuit until 1872, when he came to Milan and engaged in the livery business, and later conducted a grocery and retail liquor establishment for about six years. In 1875 he was elected chief of police of Milan, which office he has filled in a very satisfactory manner to the present time. In December, 1860, he married Miss Frances Haynes, of Carroll County. They have one adopted son, Wallace Lusk. Mr. Lusk is a Republican in politics, but of the independent class. He is a member of the ancient I.O.O.F., and is considered a popular and efficient official.
Wallace Lusk, proprietor of the Palace Saloon, of Milan, was born in
Carroll County, on the
10th of March, 1865, and is a son of Giles and Harriett (Putman) Bryant. The
mother died
when Wallace was an infant, and he was taken to raise by John D. Lusk,
present chief of police
of Milan, and whose surname he now legally bears. Wallace was reared in the retail liquor
business, having first engaged in it here, nine years ago. In 1883 he began business for himself,
and has continued to the present time conducting the largest and best paying business of the kind
in Milan. September 15, 1885, he married Miss Etta Ing, of Gibson County.
They have one
child named Wallace. Mr. Lusk is a Democrat and an enterprising young business man of the
town.
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