Richard Hill, a well known and influential citizen of Sparta, and president of the First National Bank of the town, is a native of White County, born in the Ninth Civil District February 24, 1839. He is the son of William and Isabella (Brown) Hill. His father was of Irish descent, and was born in Virginia about 1795, and died in White County August, 1840. Mr. Hill's mother's descent is not known. She was a native of Tennessee and born in 1812, and is still living, a resident of White County. Mr. Hill is the youngest of three children. In his youth he secured a limited education, and has been engaged in farming all his life. He frequently traded in live stock, and has made the raising of fine stock a specialty. In the fall of 1861 he entered the Confederate States service, joined Dibrell's cavalry, and followed this gallant soldier through the remainder of the war. He returned home and resumed the peaceful occupation of farming. He lost almost everything he had by the war, and was yet more embarrassed by reason of heavy security debts against him, but being a man of remarkable energy, in a few years he was again in prosperous circumstances. In March, 1885, a State bank was established at Sparta, and Mr. Hill was made vice-president. In January, 1877, the bank was changed to a national bank and the stock increased from $40,000 to $50,000, and Mr. Hill was elected president, in which he has a bank stock of $8,500. On June 3, 1869, he married Miss Martha J. Officer, an excellent lady, born in Overton County, Tenn., July 2, 1840. Her father, James C. Officer, was born in Overton County, October 21, 1808, and died in White County, October 22, 1868. Her mother, Leeann (Glenn) Officer was born in White County, January 14, 1813, and died in White County, November 1, 1868. Mr. Hill has two children -- one son and one daughter: Robert L., born July 10, 1871; Mertie, born March 11, 1873. Mr. Hill owns a farm of nearly 2,000 acres. He is not a member of any church, but is a man of good morals, and is in sympathy with the Christian Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Church South.

Dr. R. V. Hobson, an eminent practicing physician of River Hill, was born March 15, 1837, in Richmond. Va., of which State his parents were also natives. His father, Richard Hobson, died in 1847; he was a son of Samuel Hobson, a Virginian of English descent. Subject's mother was Mary Ann, daughter of Frank Pearce, who was also a native of Virginia, and thought to be of French origin. Mrs. Hobson departed this life about 1848. Our subject was raised and educated in his native State, principally at Charlottesville, Oaklong Academy. He graduated in 1852, and immediately began the study of medicine, under guidance of Drs. Hughes & Leech. In 1859 he entered upon his practice at Alexandria, Va. In 1861 he moved to Baltimore, Md., remaining there about two years. During the following ten years he traveled extensively, also practiced four years at Perrysburg, Ohio. In 1876 he came to River Hill, where he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. He is recognized as one of the leading and most able practitioners of the county, and is universally respected. He has been an earnest member of the Christian Church for the past twenty-eight years, and is a Republican.

J. D. Holder, a well known merchant and farmer of Holder Station, was born December 3, 1838, in Tennessee, a son of Spencer and Elizabeth (Hopkins) Holder. The father was born in 1788 in Tennessee, and died May 8, 1876. The mother was born in 1795 in North Carolina, and is still living at the advanced age of ninety-one. The grandfather, John Holder, was of Irish descent, born in Virginia in 1760. He immigrated to Tennessee just prior to the birth of Spencer, and died in May, 1863. Our subject was raised on a farm, and educated at Antioch College, Van Buren County. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service, Company D, Eighth Tennessee Cavalry. In November, 1863, at Rock Island, he was shot in the left hip and disabled for life. After the war he went to Texas, where he was engaged in the saw-mill and merchandise business for nearly two years. He returned to Tennessee and entered into the merchandise business with his father at Holder Station, continuing until 1876. He then managed the concern six years on his own resources. In 1882 he closed out and began farming and stock raising. In 1885 he resumed his former business, in which he has been very successful. He is partner in the firm of Holder & Cooper. After the war he commenced without capital, but by judicious management and economy has amassed a fair share of the world's goods. He is an enterprising and esteemed citizen, a member of the Christian Church, a demitted member of the I.O.O.F. and a Democrat. In 1860 he married Miss Susan, daughter of Cary and Sarah Gillentine. Seven children have been born to their union: Sallie E. (wife of J. J. Gissom), Charley, Josie, Martha M. Spencer S. T., Allie May and Johnnie E., who died in March, 1885.

Hon. Eliphalet Jarvis, lawyer, and senator of the Ninth Senatorial District, was born five miles north of Sparta January 14, 1850, the son of Reziah and Margaret (Sapp) Jarvis. The father, born in North Carolina about 1794, died in White County, Tenn., in 1868, and the mother, a native of Tennessee, is still living in White County. The father, coming to White County in early life, was a successful farmer and a Democrat, and the misfortune of blindness befell him in 1857. Our subject, educated chiefly at Cumberland Institute in White County, worked on the home farm and taught school until he began the study of law in 1875 under Col. W. J. Farris, of Sparta. Since obtaining a license to practice in the early part of 1876, he has been exclusively devoted to the law. In August, 1886, unexpected to himself, he was nominated candidate for State senator of the Ninth Senatorial District (eight counties) by the Democratic party. Mr. Jarvis' majority over the Republican nominee, J. W. Dorton, of Cumberland County, was 1,001. At the first meeting of the Senate our subject was placed on six different standing committees, the judiciary, and that of finance and ways and means being the most important He is a promising young lawyer, and fast winning his way to honorable distinction. December 28, 1876, he married Mollie Gilliland, a lady born in Polk County, Tenn., in 1857. They have had five sons. Mr. Jarvis and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is distantly connected with ex-Gov. Jarvis, of North Carolina.

S. J. Johnson, a well known farmer and stock raiser of the Eleventh District, was born in White County June 9, 1839, the third child of Joseph and Mary (Hargess) Johnson. Both were natives of Putnam County, of Irish-Dutch descent. The father was born November 25, 1809, and married about 1832. He was a prosperous agriculturist and stock raiser. Although a religious and good man, he never united with any denomination. He died in 1873. The mother was born March 20, 1811. She is a consistent and respected member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving but limited educational advantages. At the age of sixteen he engaged as clerk with Robertson & Johnson, of White County, remaining with them about ten years. January, 1861, he accepted a position with Hill & Bradley. July 25, 1861, he entered the Confederate Army. He was first lieutenant of Company K, Twenty-fifth Tennessee, under command of Col. S. S. Stanton. He was in the battle of Fishing Creek, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. January, 1864, he was promoted to rank of captain, which he retained until he was captured at Drury Bluff, Va. He was taken to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, Point Lookout, Fort Delaware, Morris' Island (S.C.), Pulaski, Ga, and then back to Fort Delaware. After his return home he clerked for W. C. Johnson. In 1867, in partnership with J. H. Officer, he embarked in the mercantile business. Two years later he bought his partner out and carried the business on alone until 1883, and in the meantime was interested in farming. In 1880 he went into the mill and lumber trade. He has always been an energetic and able business man. He is self-made, and has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods. August 30, 1867, he married Fannie, daughter of William and Cynthia (Holeford) Officer, of Overton County. Three sons and five daughters have been born to this union, all of whom are living. Mr. Johnson is a true Democrat. He and his wife are active and sincere members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.