John Donnell, a worthy citizen of the Twelfth District; was born in North Carolina in 1824, and is the son of John and Jane S. (McGaha) Donnell. The parents are natives of North Carolina, and came to Tennessee in 1835, and located in this county. The father was a life-long farmer, and accumulated considerable property. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He was born in 1789 and died in 1882. His wife was born in 1790, and died about 1809. Our subject was reared on a farm, and has followed it all his life, being very prosperous. In 1846 he married Miss Adahine Barham, of Carroll County. She was born in Madison County, Tenn., in 1826, and is the mother of three children - one daughter and two sons. One son died in infancy. His wife died in 1853. He has a good farm of 280 acres, that is well improved. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and also of the Masonic order. In politics he is a Democrat.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee