Dr. P. H. Earls, a well known physician of Perilla, was born in White County May 1, 1851. His parents, Martin and Titia (Robertson) Earls, were of English descent and natives of North Carolina. The father immigrated to White County, where he died in 1852. The mother's death occurred in 1851. Our subject became an orphan at an early age. He worked on a farm until he was eighteen. Having had but limited educational advantages, he secured the place of janitor in the Manchester College which he held four years, thus paying for his board and tuition. In 1872 and 1873 he attended Bird College, where he completed his schooling. He immediately began the study of medicine, and attended the Nashville Medical College, after which he entered upon his practice in the neighborhood of Perilla, where he has met with considerable success and received an extensive patronage. In 1883 he was interested in the mercantile business at this place. He is a self-made and highly respected man, who by his own efforts has accumulated a comfortable amount of this world's goods. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and a Democrat. December 24, 1873, he wedded Miss Nancy N., daughter of William and Mattie Cole. Their union has resulted in the birth of three children: May L., Carrie E. and Ella E.

J. A. P. Fancher, a prosperous farmer and grist-mill proprietor of the Sixth District, was born February 26, 1841, in Overton County, Tenn. He is a son of Thomas H. and Susan A. (Officer) Fancher, of White (now Putnam) County. The father was born January 24, 1799, of English-Irish descent. He was an extensive stock raiser, and a man of considerable prominence and a Democrat; was a major of militia, a justice of the peace and magistrate of Overton County, and was instrumental in relieving the county of debt. He was several times urged to represent his county in the Legislature and Senate. From 1843 to 1846 he resided in Arkansas, after which he came to White County. He died April 5, 1884. His wife was born August 17, 1817; was married February 16, 1840, and died May 31, 1850. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church South. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a fair education. Since his twenty-fifth year he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and with decided success. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Sixteenth Tennessee, under command of Col. John H. Savage. After two years' service his health failed, when he hired a substitute and returned home. Later he was arrested by the Federals and taken to Rock Island, Ill., prison. He was offered his liberty if he would take the oath of allegiance, but he refused. In 1865 he returned to White County, where he has since resided. October 9, 1867, he married Jane, daughter of Rev. James K. and Jane S. (Simpson) Lausden. Mr. Lausden is of Scotch-Irish descent, and his wife of Irish. To Mr. and Mrs. Fancher four sons and three daughters were born, one now deceased. Mrs. Fancher, who was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, died May 18, 1884. July 6, 1884, our subject married Levina T. Lausden, his sister-in-law, who has borne him one child. Both are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fancher is a stanch Democrat, and a liberal contributor to, and supporter of, all laudable enterprises.

W. W. Gooch, a well known merchant and farmer of Goochville, was born in 1844 in White County. He is of Irish-Dutch descent, a son of Joseph and Lavinia W. (O'Connor) Gooch. The father was born in 1793 in North Carolina and immigrated to White County at an early date, where he died about 1847. The mother was born in White County in 1815, and died in Texas in 1868. The subject of this sketch spent his early days on a farm and received a good education in the country schools. He was in the Confederate Army, Company I, Eighth Tennessee Cavalry. He served during the entire war, and although he took part in many of the famous battles, was neither wounded nor captured. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home and began farming. In 1878, in connection with his agricultural interests, he engaged in merchandising. He is a man of untiring energy and ability. He now owns 240 acres of valuable and productive land, on the Calf Killer River. He is a Democrat, a member of the I. O.O.F. and one of White County's best men. In 1868 he married Melcena, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Gist. To this union have been born Joseph J., James W., Henry L., Wyman D., Addella M., Dora A., Wade H., Everett B. and Haden E.

W. H. Gracey, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of the Sixth District, was born in White County August 8, 1846, the eighth child of Hugh and Ann (Hitchcock) Gracey. The father was a native of Ireland, and immigrated to this county when quite a young man. He was a successful agriculturist and stock raiser, a Whig and sheriff of the county. He died in November, 1854. The mother was of Irish descent, born in White County in 1816, and now lives on the old homestead. The subject of our sketch was educated in the schools of the neighborhood, and worked on his mother's farm until his thirtieth year. January 2, 1876, he wedded Malvine, daughter of Frank and Louisa (Lydie) Boyd, of White County. Their family consists of Lillie, born March 12, 1877; Franklin, born May 15,. 1880; Quillie, born March 12, 1882. Mr. Gracey has for two terms been overseer of the road. He has by careful management and industry accumulated considerable good property. He is at all times a generous contributor to all charitable and educational enterprises. He is member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a stanch Democrat. Mrs. Gracey is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.