My Genealogy Hound

James S. Mayes, farmer and citizen of Tipton County, was born in Taylor County, Ky., September 18, 1837 and is the son of Elijah M. and Mary (Culton) Mayes, both natives of Virginia. The father was born March 29, 1794 and married March 15, 1823; he was a successful farmer, and with his wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church; he died in 1866. The mother was born November 5, 1805, and died August 17, 1860. Our subject was the seventh of ten children, received a good education, and commenced life as a farmer. When eighteen years old he moved from Kentucky to Missouri, and lived seven years in Johnson County; early in the fall of 1861 he went to Texas to dispose of some slaves, then went to Arkansas, and entered the Confederate service, in Company K, Sixth Texas Regiment of cavalry, ex-Gov. Throckmorton of Texas, was captain, Col. Stone commanding the regiment. They were at the battle of Oak Hill, and after five or six months active service in Arkansas, the regiment was dismounted and transferred to the Tennessee Department, went into Mississippi, and was in a number of battles. After the second battle of Corinth, the regiment was again mounted and went with Van Dorn into Middle Tennessee, and was at the battle of Johnson Station, and after Van Dorn’s death they went into Mississippi. December 28, 1863, Mr. Mayes received two shots in an engagement with the Kansas jayhawkers, and was disabled from further service, and has never fully recovered from the wounds; he then moved to Tipton County, and remained until the close of the war. After the surrender he went to Denton County, Tex., to adjust some business there, then went to make a visit in Kentucky, reaching home a few months before his father’s death. He remained at home a year, then came to Tipton County, Tenn. April 2, 1867, he married Lucy J. Elam, a native of Tipton County, who died July 17, 1870; two daughters were born to this marriage; both died. November 28, 1871, Mr. Mayes married Katie F. Calhoun, born in Tipton County, December 25, 1849, and they have had three sons and four daughters, one daughter dead. Mr. and Mrs. Mayes are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a firm Democrat and a most excellent citizen.