John M. Countess, a resident of the third District, was born August 11, 1841, in Warren County, TN. His father, Asa Countess, was a native of Tennessee, a brick-mason. He married about 1833, a daughter of John Martin of North Carolina, who had come to Tennessee. John M. was the 4th and only surviving of 7 children. Asa enlisted in the Fifth Confederate Regiment under command of B. J. Hill. He died in Mississippi after 12 months of service. John enlisted in the 16th Tennessee Confederate Army under command of John H. Savage. After about 1 year's service, "he became dissatisfied with the cause he was aiding" and obtaining a 1 day pass, he began his journey back home. After being home about 4 months, he enlisted in the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry of the Union Army under Col. W. B. Stokes, taking part in the battle of Stone's River. At the end of the war, he returned home. In 1866, he went to Illinois for 3 years, then Missouri, and later returned to Middle Tennessee. Finally he settled in Decatur County. In 1866, he was married to Minnie Blackwell of Warren County. They were the parents of 6 children of whom 4 were living at the time of the writing: Mary, wife of Dr. E.G. Howell of Decatur County, Margaret, John, and George W. Their son William B. died September 6, 1879, when 2 years old. John M. Countess was a Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity and K.of H.
"Tennessee Trails"
