David C. Lowrey, a well known and enterprising planter of White County, and resident of the first civil district is a native of this county, and was born January 24, 1850. He is the son of Charles and Kittie (Hudgens) Lowrey, both natives of White County. Mr. Lowrey's father was of Irish descent and was born in 1820, and died in 1883, in the county that gave him birth. He was married in 1844, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits, to which he associated the raising and trading in live stock. He made life a good success, was an old line Whig before the war, and a Democrat after the war. Mr. Lowrey's mother's ancestors came from France. She was born in 1826, and is still living a resident of White County. The Lowreys originally came from Pennsylvania, and Mr. Lowrey's ancestors on his mother's side came from Kentucky. His great-grandmother on his mother's side was a niece of Daniel Boone. Our subject is the third of five children. He was educated at the Sparta Seminary and Burrett College, Van Buren County. He has been a merchant, a trader and a planter, and has been successful in them all. In 1867 he settled with his father on the farm where he now lives. Being a live enterprising man all of his life, he has secured a fair competency of this world's goods, and owns a farm of 625 acres in White County. On January 18, 1877, he was married to Miss Maggie Meredith, born in Texas in 1858, though raised in White County. Unto this union are born three children -- two sons and one daughter. Mr. Lowrey is a stanch Democrat, and always supports that party. He is not a church member, but a firm believer in the Bible, and is in sympathy with the Christian Church. His wife is a deserving member of the Christian Church.
W. H. Magness, Jr., merchant, was born in De Kalb County May 15, 1856, the son of Rev. Perry G. and Martha J. (Webb) Magness, both of Irish origin, and natives of what is now De Kalb County. The father was born in 1826 and died in De Kalb County September 29,1877. The mother, born in 1831, is still living in Warren County. The father's ancestors came from North Carolina. He was a prominent Primitive Baptist minister, and was county clerk of De Kalb eight years atter the war. Receiving a liberal education at Water's & Walling's College, McMinnville, in 1876 he established a general store at Magness' Mills in De Kalb County. In 1880 he came to Sparta and has since been in the merchandise business. January 31, 1878, he married Florence Crowder, who was born in White County March 20, 1859. Three children were born to them -- one son and two daughters. He is a Democrat politically, and is a member of the church to which his wife belongs, the Primitive Baptist.
J. F. Mitchell, a prominent farmer of the Tenth District, was born in White County September 12, 1852, the fourth child of John W. and Hannah (Moore) Mitchell. They were English-Irish. The father was born in White County June 16, 1823. He was justice
of the peace for fifteen or twenty years, a prosperous agriculturist and self-made man and a stanch Democrat. He died September 23, 1863. The mother was born in Van Buren County July 15, 1827, and died October 5, 1871. Both were respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a fair education in the country schools. He began farming for himself at the age of nineteen, and has since been quite successful. He is a worthy citizen and true Democrat. September 5, 1872, he married Nancy A., daughter of Joseph and Ann (Denny) Cummins. To them were born Willie, born June 17, 1873; Tobitha, born July 1, 1875; Joseph A., born September 28, 1877; Denny, born March 11, 1880, and Sallie J., born December 11, 1882. Mrs. Mitchell died January 14, 1883. Mr. Mitchell's second marriage took place February 11, 1883, to Nettie, daughter of James and Loirje (Brown) Davis, of White County. By this union are two children: Bertha E., born November 28, 1883, and James W., born June 12, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Andrew L. Potts, a well known and enterprising planter of White County, is a native of this county, born in the
Eleventh Civil District, September 13, 1819. He is the son of Patrick and Catharine (Price) Potts. His father was of
Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in South Carolina about the year 1797, and died in White County in 1881.
He was a farmer, and made life a success. Before the war he was an old line Whig, and after the war a Democrat.
He was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Potts' mother was of English descent, and was born in North
Carolina in 1804, and died in Arkansas in 1878, and was a member of the Christian Church. Our subject secured
a good education in his native county, and early began the cultivation of the soil. At different times he has traded in
live stock. In 1860 he was elected high sheriff of White County, and nominally held this office until the close of the war,
at which time he was forced to relinquish it to W. F. Carter, who was appointed to this office by Gov. Brownlow;
but in 1867 or 1868 Mr. Potts was re-elected high sheriff of White County, and served one term. In March, 1840,
he married Miss E. M. England, native of White County, and born February 15, 1821. To this union were born
nine children -- four sons and five daughters. They have lost by death one son and two daughters. He has been a
live, enterprising successful man all of his life. Though he began life rather poor he now owns a handsome farm of
680 acres in White County. He is a Democrat, is not a member of any church, but is a firm believer in the Christian
religion, and is in sympathy with the Missionary Baptist Church. His wife is a member of this church, and is a woman
of great piety.
J. S. Roberts, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of White County, was born February 25, 1832, in Overton County, the eldest child of William and Sarah (Matthews) Roberts. The father was born February 28, 1806, in Charlotte County, Va., and married
in 1880. He was a saddler at Livingston, Tenn., and a Democrat. His death occurred in 1872. The mother was born February 20, 1805, in Overton County, and died in 1883; both were of English descent and members of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch worked at the saddler's trade in his youth, but began farming when he attained his majority. In 1856, he was elected trustee of Overton County; at same time was postmaster at Livingston. In the fall of 1862, he entered the Confederate Army, under Forrest's command, and served until 1864. In 1870 he was elected circuit court clerk of Overton County, and held that office three terms in succession, in connection with which he was engaged in the lumber business and farming. In 1882 he abandoned the lumber trade, and has since devoted his time exclusively to farming and stock raising. July 3, 1858, he married Mary, daughter of Carter and Margaret (Shelly) Allison, of Overton County. Five sons and five daughters are the fruits of this union. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat. He and wife are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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