James R, of the 3rd District, was born in Decatur County, December 10, 1853. His father, James T., was born in Montgomery County, March 12, 1827. James T. was a mason and a farmer. He was married in 1848, to Katherine Warden. They came to Decatur County in 1850. James T. enlisted as a volunteer in the 27th Regiment of TN, but was discharged on account of sickness after having served for 2 years. He returned home and died December 4, 1880. James R. was the 3rd of 14 children. January 29, 1885, James R. married B. E. Jones, a native of Decatur County. To them only 1 child was born and then died in infancy. James R. was a Democrat.

From Goodspeeds History of Tennessee