My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS W. SOWELL, one of Maury County’s most enterprising citizens, was born December 28, 1856, son of William J. and Emily T. (Hardison) Sowell, both of whom were born in Maury County in 1824 and 1833, respectively. The father was a successful farmer and became the owner of several hundred acres of land. He enlisted as colonel (in the late war) of the Forty-eighth Tennessee Cavalry, and was a brave and faithful officer. He was married in 1850 and became the father of the following family: William I., Alice J., Thomas W., Fannie P., Felix, Emily E., Wallace T., Carrie E., James D. and Albert B. The father was a teacher in early life. He died on the 13th of August, 1884. The mother is yet living. Our subject was reared on a farm and began working for himself at the age of eighteen as clerk in the mercantile business for about eighteen months. He then worked in his father’s mill one year, and then engaged in the mercantile business for himself two years, being fairly successful. October 25, 1883, he wedded Jennie R. Chisholm, born in Alabama January 15, 1860, daughter of Dr. Lewis C. and Jane Chisholm. The father was born in Alabama in 1821 and the mother in 1827. Dr. Chisholm graduated from a dental college in Nashville and was professor in the same one year. The mother died in 1862, and the Doctor afterward married Isabel Dickson, of Alabama. Our subject and wife have two children: Barkley, born August 30. 1884 (deceased), and Nina, born September 15, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Sowell belong to the Christian Church and he is a supporter of Democratic principles.