Since January, 1922, Dr. Jay Gould Cottongim has practiced in Bemis and he is enjoying an extensive and lucrative patronage. He was born in Hardeman county, Tennessee, on the 6th of August, 1892, a son of Lee and Rebecca (Tims) Cottongim, likewise natives of Hardeman county. The father was born in July, 1853, and his wife in July, 1864. Lee Cottongim is a prominent farmer and one of Madison county's representative citizens.

Jay Gould Cottongim attended the public schools of Hardeman county and in early life decided to enter the medical profession. Upon the completion of his preliminary education he enrolled in the medical department of the University of Tennessee and was graduated from that institution in 1914, with the M. D. degree, having taken a four-years' course. He then spent one year in a Memphis hospital, after which he practiced independently for three years. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World war he was one of the first to put all personal interests aside and volunteer his services. He was stationed at Camp Gordon, with the Three Hundred and Fourteenth Labor Battalion and from there went to Camp Stewart, where for some time they were quarantined because of an epidemic of measles. On the 6th of August, 1918, however, he sailed for Brest, France, and he was a casual officer in Hospital Medical Corps, No. 5, for several months. Later he was sent to Saint-Nazaire and after the signing of the armistice returned to this country. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Tennessee and, locating in Medon, Madison county, practiced there until January, 1922, when he came to Bemis. He now has a very promising and constantly increasing patronage and is readily conceded to be one of the county's foremost medical practitioners. In Hardeman county was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Cottongim to Miss Bertha Lee Barker, a daughter of John Lee and Ollie (Armstrong) Barker, natives of Tennessee and both living. Mr. Barker is a prosperous farmer of Hardeman county. Dr. Cottongim has always strictly adhered to the principles of the democratic party. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church.

Tennessee the Volunteer State 1769–1923: Volume 3