CHARLES A. DABNEY was born November 8, 1819, and received a common English education.  At the age of eighteen he began to make his own way in the world.  In 1865 the nuptials of his marriage with Miss Sallie Cox were celebrated.  She is a daughter of Robert Cox, of North Carolina.  In early life Mr. Dabney was a Whig in politics, but is now a strong supporter of Democratic principles.  He is a wealthy farmer, and owns 741 acres of good land, the greater part of which he has made by his own industry.  He has been a resident of Marshall County for over fifty years, and is one of the thrifty farmers and honest citizens of the county.  His parents, John and Nancy (Cox) Dabney, were born, reared and married in North Carolina.  They came to Tennessee in 1806, and located in what is now Marshall County when it was almost an unbroken canebrake.  The father served as magistrate a number of years, and in politics was an old-line Whig.  He died in 1857 and the mother in 1831.

ISAAC V. DARK>, farmer, was born July 14, 1818, in Wilson County, Tenn., son of James and Martha (Gates) Dark, both natives of North Carolina.  They were married in Wilson County, and afterward moved to this county, where the mother died.  The father then married Sarah Fisher, went to Illinois, but finally settled in West Tennessee, where he died.  He was a farmer and millwright by occupation.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans.  Our subject grew to manhood on the farm and received a common school education.  In 1839 his marriage to Lydia C. Green was solemnized and the results of this union were the birth of eight children--three boys and five girls.  Two of the boys, James and Harris, were soldiers in the late war.  At Chickamauga the former received a wound in the foot from the effects of which he died.  The second served until the close of the war.  In 1876 our subject's first wife died and about five months later he married Martha Steward, by whom he had five children--three boys and two girls.  Mr. Dark is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  For twelve years he served as magistrate, filling that office in an able and satisfactory manner.  For about twenty-six years he worked at the shoe-making trade, being a first-class workman.  At the present he is engaged in agricultural pursuits and has a good farm of 168 acres.  He has been a resident of Marshall County for sixty-one years and is accounted a good farmer and an excellent citizen.  He is a Democrat in politics.

GEORGE W. DAVIS,one of the leading liverymen of Lewisburg, was born on a farm in Marshall County, in 1855, and received a common school education.  He is a son of Martin and Lizzie (Talley) Davis.  The father was a farmer and a staunch Democrat.  He died in 1866.  The mother was a member of the Baptist Church, and died while she was yet comparatively young.  At the age of nineteen the subject of this sketch, after tending bar some time, opened a saloon in Lewisburg, in 1877, and about five years later engaged in the livery business.  He has been quite successful and is engaged in that business at the present time.  In 1880 he was united in marriage to Mollie E. Richie, and to this union was born one child, Mabel C.  In 1885 our subject's first stable was burned and the same year he built the large brick that he now has.  In politics Mr. Davis is, like his father, an ardent Democrat.  For nine years he has been in business in Lewisburg and has succeeded well.  He has a good stable well stocked.

WILLIAM M. DAVIS AND WILLIAM R JAMESare members of the firm of Clayton, Davis & Co., millers, of Cornersville, Tenn.  The former is a son of Nathan C. and Mary (Woods) Davis, who were born in the State and became the parents of seven children.  The father was an agriculturist and a Democrat, and died in 1882.  After his wife's death, in 1860, he married Mrs. Sallie Johnson, by whom he had five children.  William M. was born August 23, 1851, and secured the rearing and education of the average farmer's boy.  After attaining his majority he began farming for himself, and in 1876 married Ella M. McMahon, by whom he had two children:  Minnie K. and Sallie J.  In 1883 Mr. Davis engaged in his present business of grist and saw-milling, and is now making preparations to put in the patent rollers.  Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and a man who attends closely to business, consequently he has prospered in his undertakings.  William R. James one of the above named firm, is a son of Pleasant L. and Emily (Freeland) James, who were born and passed their lives in Tennessee.  Their family consisted of four children, our subject and one other son being the only living members.  The father was a Democrat, and died in 1853.  The mother's death occurred in 1862.  William R. was born in Giles County, October 16, 1845, and was reared on a farm in Marshall County.  In 1861 he volunteered in Company H, Third Tennessee Infantry, and was one of the defenders of Fort Donelson.  He was captured and imprisoned at Chicago, and, after being exchanged at Vicksburg, returned to the army, but was soon discharged, being too young for the service.  He then returned home and resumed farming.  In 1869 he and Amanda K. Ferguson were united in marriage.  She died in 1878, leaving four children.  He then wedded Jennie McMahon, who died in 1884, having become the mother of two children.  The following year Mr. James married Nannie McMahon, sister of his second wife.  In 1884 he moved to Cornersville and in 1886 engaged in the milling business.

WILLIAM M. DOZIER, farmer, is a son of Zachariah and Cynthia A. (Johnson) Dozier, natives, respectively, of Missouri and Tennessee.  The former was born in 1800 and the latter in 1809.  The father moved, when young, to Kentucky, and finally to Rutherford County, where he was married.  He was a farmer and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, as was also his wife.  He was a Democrat in politics.  His death occurred in 1870.  The mother died in 1885.  William M. Dozier was born December 15, 1834, and, like the average country boy, received his education in the common schools.  At the age of nineteen he went into the mercantile business as salesman, where he remained for eight years.  In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Webb's company of Eighteenth Tennessee Infantry as second lieutenant, and after nearly two years of faithful service he returned to his mercantile business.  In 1868 he wedded Calidonia Talley, by whom he has two children:  Ada M. and William Z.  Mr. Dozier is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.  For ten years he has successively and successfully held the office of constable.  He has been a resident of Marshall County for over twenty-one years, and is considered one of the county's best citizens.

WILLIAM A. DYSART, farmer, was born in Marshall County in 1831.  He was reared on the farm, attended the district school in the winter seasons and received a good practical education.  January 31, 1860, he married Elizabeth E. Bivins, and the union was blessed by three children: Clarence M., Anna L. and William E.  Both parents are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.  November 8, 1862, Mr. Dysart volunteered in Company D, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry and was engaged in all the battles in which his company took part.  His regiment was detailed through North Carolina as a body-guard for Jefferson Davis.  Mr. Dysart remained with his command until it returned to Chattanooga, when his regiment was disbanded and he returned home.  He is a Democrat and has voted that ticket since the Rebellion.  He is one of Marshall County’s most enterprising and energetic farmers, has a fine tract of land and his
residence is beautifully located.  Mrs. Dysart is a very intelligent and accomplished lady.  Our subject’s parents were Andrew and Jane (Ewing) Dysart.  The father was born in North Carolina in about 1782, immigrated with his parents to Kentucky when quite young; then to Williamson
County, and in about 1800 came to Marshall County.  Here, in about 1815, he was married and became the father of thirteen children, eight of whom are living.  He and wife are worthy members of the Old School Presbyterian Church.  The mother died in 1867, and the father in 1868.
Our subject’s ancestors were of Scotch-Irish lineage.  His grandfather was one of the brave men who fought in the Revolutionary war.

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