McNAIRY COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - James Warren ============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping, with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic Pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Douglas H. Prather douglas-memphis@worldnet.att.net =============================================================== McNairy County Independent, January 4, 1924 James Warren In the last issue, we gave to our readers a brief history of Gen. John H. Meeks, one of the county's strong men in the long ago. We take great pleasure in giving in this first issue of the New Year, some of the history in connection with the life of another of the county's distinguished characters. He was a contemporary of Gen. Meeks, and in many respects possessed a somewhat similar character. Certainly they were very much alike in their early surroundings. We refer to James Warren, who was born four years before Gen. Meeks was, in the year 1810. He too , was a native of Tennessee, having born in Claiborne county, East Tennessee. Mr. Warren was left an orphan at the age of three years, and was a bound boy, from that time until he reached man's estate. He lost his father when he was three years old, leaving his mother and eight children. At the age of seven years he was bound to one Henry Lebo, in Claiborne county. He was rebound, but his new master was so cruel that he returned to his first one, and was by him bound to his son-in-law. S. L. Sanders. He served this master faithfully until he was 21 years of age. When but a lad, about 16 years of age, he come with his master to McNairy county, and from that time was a resident of the county, and identified in many ways with its history and growth. He, like other boys and young men of that day, had but few educational advantages, and was permitted to go to school for only a short time, but during all of that time he was energetic, patient and studious. He was what you would call a well educated man, and kept thoroughly posted on the current events. He started life as a farmer, and kept that occupation for all the succeeding years, being one of the largest land owners in the county. In 1836, he married the daughter of John and Ann Raines, and they reared a large family of children, among the number being Hugh A. and John T., both prominent in the business life of the county, and also Stanford Warren, a son who distinguished himself as a lawyer, all three of whom are now dead. Also Mrs. Nancy Gooch, the mother of S. W. and J. R. Gooch, of Selmer; Mrs. K. Prather, and Mrs. Mattie Jeans, the latter the only one living. His first vote for president was cast for Hugh L. White, and he was strong Whig in politics, when that party was one of the dominant ones in the nation. He was a strong Union man, and identified himself with the republican party. But in the campaign of 1880, he aligned himself with the members of what was then known as the Greenback party. He in early life showed an inclination for politics, and held several offices. At one time he was Sheriff of the county, serving from 1838 until 1844. He was elected representative then, and again in 1880, and was a candidate for congress at one time. He was a loyal member of the Missionary Baptist church, and was a Mason, becoming one in 1845. His contributions to the church were many, and he promoted the educational interests of the county in various ways. About the beginning of the Civil war Mr. Warren moved from his home near Purdy to the home in the sixth district, the place now owned by F. O. Hamilton. There he died in 1894. Hundreds of acres in Crooked creek bottom and in the hills surrounding composed his landed interests. The old county farm was once a part of these lands. Mr. Warren lived in the county in its earlier days, and was a part of its history for a long, time. He came here about the year 1826, the year after the town of Purdy was established. Henry Wilson was then sheriff, Joseph Barnett was county court clerk, Maclin Cross circuit clerk, A. V. Murry register, and Benjamin Wright the county surveyor. There were no churches established in the county then. The population was widely scattered, and very few settlements had been formed. It was at a time five years before the first courthouse was built at Purdy, and about twenty-five years before the building of the old brick jail just on the east edge of the old town. It was twenty years before the old Purdy Masonic lodge was organized, and thirty-five years before the Civil war. Veterans of the American Revolution were in the county at this time. James Madison was President when he was born, and John Quincy Adams was President when he came to this county. "Uncle Jimmie" Warren, as he was called in later years, was a benefactor. He was of that number of the old and rugged generation in the history of the county that contributed so much to its growth and development. He and they were the pioneers, who toiled and struggled, surrounded by dangers and difficulties that were strangers to the younger generations. They possessed to sublime degree patriotism and courage and old fashioned faith in God. They lived in the days of the old log rollings and house raisings, and corn shucking and quiltings, The needy and unfortunate were always card for. Words were bonds with them. They were neighbors and friends. There was no strife, for there were no tale bearers. He was a contemporary of the late Gen. John H. Meeks, and some of those living near him were the Bakers, the Browders, Raines, Basingers, Alex Erwin, McKenzies, Joplings, Hockaday, Brooks, Redding, Ray , Carters, McCullars Burtons, Pharr, Rimmer. He started life a poor, "bound out " boy. He overcame obstacles, and won in the great battle of life. In the old graveyard in his old community, near the ruins of old Ashbank church, there stands a modest monument that marks the grave of this old pioneer. He sleeps beside the graves of his beloved companion and his children and his old friends. And we revere his memory Gen. Marcus J. Wright's History of McNairy County page 72. A SKETCH OF JAMES WARREN. By Mrs. Jennie S. Perkins. Very few self-made men exist who have come up through greater difficulties than the subject of this sketch. Left an orphan, and penniless at a very early age, he with his brother John, were bound out, as was the custom of those days; and as was too often the case to hard, unfeeling master, whose treatment became so unbearable that the boys fled to the mountains to escape his cruelty. They were not wholly forsaken, however, for sympathizing friends, who were cognizant of their whereabouts, fed the fugitives until their persecutor was induced to relinquish his claim on them. They were the bound to Henry Lebo, with whom they lived until the death of the latter, when they were transferred to Stanford Saunders, a son-in-law of Lebo. Saunders removed from East Tennessee to McNairy County, West Tennessee, bringing James and John Warren with him. John tired of his position, and left before his term of service expired; but James faithfully served out his time, and then with the means that was due him on becoming of age, began to act on his own responsibility. He soon after inter-married with Miss Eliza Rains, a most excellent lady, who has proved a very worthy helpmate. He soon began holding office, rising step by step, until elected representative from his county to the Legislature. He in the meanwhile carried on his farm, and by industry and strict attention to business steadily accumulated wealth. He was a Whig before the war, and loyal to the Government during this strife, but never violent. In politics since the war he has opposed radicalism, being inclined to lenient policy with those disaffected towards the United States Government. For many years he resided near Purdy, but lately he removed several miles southwest from the county seat, where he has reared a beautiful home, and surrounded himself and family with all the solid comforts of life. His life-long friends have recently given further testimony of their appreciation of his merits by electing him to the State Senate. Few men have been so successful in all the relations of life; for to wealth and popularity have been added great domestic felicity, and children that are an honor to the parents who reared them. The view of such a career gives abundant evidence that faithfulness in all the duties of one's position brings the reward promised to him, who having been "faithful over a few things, small be made ruler over many things." Gen. Marcus J. Wright's History of McNairy County, , page 83. STANFORD L. WARREN HON. STANFORD L. WARREN The eldest son of Hon. James Warren, is a native of McNairy county. He was a schoolmate of the writer, and at an early day evinced uncommon talent. He was a decided Union man, and enlisted in the 6th Tennessee Union Cavalry in September, 1862. He held this position until October, 1863, when he was made a captain; on March 28, 1864. he was made a major of the regiment, and was honorably mustered out of service under orders from the War Department. He was elected Representative to the General Assembly to Tennessee for the term of 1865-66, and was afterwards appointed by President Andrew Johnson United Stated District Attorney for West Tennessee. He was the again elected to the lower house of the General Assembly of Tennessee for 1869-70. In 1871-72 he was elected to the State Senate from the district composed of the counties of Hardeman and McNairy. In 1873-74 he was again elected to the State Senate from the district composed of the counties of McNairy, Hardin, Perry, Decatur, Henderson and Benton. Major Warren is now devoting his time to his farm and practicing his profession at Purdy. He is man of marked ability whom the people can always rely upon as honest and upright. Major Warren married Miss Alice L. Pharr. The names of the other children of the family are: H. A. Warren, married Julia Knight; J. T. Warren married Jennie Rodgers; Nancy Warren married Mr. W. A. Gooch; L. K. Warren married L. H. C. Prather; Martha Warren married J. T. Jeanes; all of whom reside in McNairy county, except Jeans and wife, who are now citizens of Wooster, Ark. The oldest daughter of the family Mary A. Warren, died at the age of 12 years. The youngest son, James F. Warren, died at the age of 9 years McNairy County Marriage Records S. L. Warren and Alice L. Pharr,Book E, page 589, 26 May 1873 H.A.Warren and J. F. Knight, Book B, page 104, 23 Jan 1862 John T. Warren and Nancy J. Rogers, Book D, page 400, 02 Dec 1869 Nancy A. Warren and William A. Gooch , Book C, page 269, 06 Dec 1866 L. K. Warren and L. H. C. Prather, Book E, page 399 26, May 1872 Martha Warren and J. T. Jeanes, Book F, page 151, 03 Mar 1874 Goodspeed's History of Franklin County, Ark., 1890 J. T. JEANES, a prominent agriculturist of the county, is a native of West Tenn., born Oct. 28, 1846, and the son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Prother)Prather Jeanes, both natives of South Carolina of Irish descent. The mother died in 1882, but the father is still living, and although eighty-seven years of age is yet in full possession of his facilities and in vigorous health He has been a farmer all his life. Their family consisted nine children, seven of whom lived to be grown, and three of whom are now living: J. N. of Tenn. Laura J. wife of John Carter, of Tenn., and the subject of this sketch. The father started in life with very limited means, but by hard labor and economy, coupled with good judgment, amassed a fortune and was supposed to be worth as much as $75,000.00 previous to the war, but lost a considerable portion of it during that period by the Union soldiers. His son, J. T. Jeans, came to Ark. in 1882, but was married in his native State in 1875, to Miss Martha E. Warren. Mr. Jeanes is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 233, is a Democrat in his political views, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Jeanes is the owner of fifty six acres of good farming land, 15 acres of good bottom land a five acre lot where he now resides, and sixty acres in Faulkner County, Ark. The following article's date and the paper it appeared in unknown, but I believe it appeared in the McNairy County Independent. Douglas H. Prather. IN MEMORY OF MRS. L. K. PRATHER Mrs. Louisa Kindall Prather, known by her home friends and "Aunt Kate", was the daughter of Colonel James and Louisa Warren of McNairy County, Tennessee. Was born June 18,1849. Was married to Dr. L. H. C. Prather, May 26, 1872. To this union two children were born, Odus and Jennie. Later they moved to Craghead County, Arkansas, and lived there about seven years, when the death angle visited the home and took as its victim Dr. Prather, Her husband and father of the children. Loving friends laid his remains in the cemetery a New Hope church to rest until the resurrection morn. Mrs. Prather with her two children moved back to McNairy County, Tennessee and lived with her father and mother until their death about the year 1900. She then moved to Duncan, Indian Territory and lived there one year; then moved to Atoka with Capt. J. T. Jeans and family. Mrs. Jeans is her sister. She lives in Duncan. When Mrs. Prather was 18 years of age she joined the Missionary Baptist church in McNairy County, Tennessee. When she moved to Atoka in 1901, she unite with the Baptist church in this place. She attended church regularly for a while, but she became so afflicted that she could not walk very far, so she had to give up attending church with many other pleasures she formerly enjoyed. She never murmured because of her affliction, but bore it cheerfully looking forward to the time when her Master would take her home to rest. ?She was taken with the Influenza and pneumonia, and on January 7th, 1919 her summons came, and her soul passed peacefully to God who gave it. "Why do we mourn departing friends Or shake at death's alarm, Tis but the voice that Jesus sends To call them to him. Two days later the Death Angel again visited this home and took an only brother, Odus Prather, and he too went to his eternal home. He will be missed by his friends and his only sister, who is left alone on her journey to the end of life here, and to the beginning of life in the great beyond. Their many friends mourn with her in this great sorrow. A FRIEND. ATOKA-Indian Citizen Democrat, Jan. 9, 1919, Page 1 col. 2. MRS. PRATHER DEAD. Grandma Prather died at her home in the north part of town Tuesday afternoon at 3'oclock and was laid to rest in Atoka cemetery yesterday She is survived by her son, Odus, who is also seriously ill, and one daughter, Miss Jennie, besides a large number of friends who mourn her loss. THE DUNCAN BANNER, FRIDAY JANUARY, 1929 Mother-in-Law of F. P. Branson Dies in Duncan. Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Jeanes, 64, for 36 years a resident of Stephens county, died here late Sunday following an illness of two weeks from influenza. She was the mother-in-law of Chief Justice Fred P. Branson of Oklahoma supreme court. Mrs. Jeanes is survived by two daughters, Mrs. R. J. Allen of Duncan and Mrs. Fred P. Branson of Muskogee, and one son, Warren Jeanes, of Duncan, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Her daughter, Mrs. Allen, is seriously ill at the Patterson hospital with influenza. Mrs. Jeanes lived with Mr. and Mrs. Allen at 211 Ash avenue. Mrs. Allen hat attended her mother during her illness and had suffered an attack of influenza herself. She suffered a relapse on Sunday and was taken to the hospital, with double pneumonia. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Grooms and Rangeley Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. T. P. Haskins, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Comanche. The deceased was the wife of the late J. T. Jeanes, one of the organizers and the first cashier of the Duncan Bank, now the First National Bank. He died at Comanche May 13, 1903. Mrs. Jeanes was born May 31, 1856, Purdy, Selmer County, Tennessee. She was married to Mr. Jeanes in 1877. They lived in Belcher, Montague county, Texas in 1833, and moved to Duncan 10 years later.