My Genealogy Hound

J. E. STRATTON, dry goods merchant of Lebanon, Tenn., was born February 27, 1842, son of Thomas J. and Caroline M. (Golladay) Stratton. J. E. Stratton was reared at home and was educated in the Cumberland University. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Seventh Regiment Tennessee Infantry Volunteers, and participated in all the battles of the Virginia campaign in 1861-62. He was severely wounded at the battle of Seven Pines. He was cared for in the house of the Misses Forbes, sisters of Col. Forbes, of Clarksville, Tenn. He resided for some time with his uncle, in Granada, Miss. In 1862, while in Kentucky, he was arrested by Federal troops, but after taking the oath of allegiance was released and remained in Kentucky until the fall of Richmond. March 24, 1864, he married Mary Grimes, who was born in 1842, in Kentucky, daughter of James and Fannie Grimes. To Mr. and Mrs. Stratton were born these children: James G., Thomas E. G. and Caroline May. In 1866 Mr. Stratton returned to Lebanon, where he was engaged in the general merchandise business with his father and brothers. He soon after went to Todd County, Ky., where he engaged in the same business three years and farmed six years. From 1873 to 1876 he was a druggist in Allensville, and at the latter date went to Nashville and established a merchant and tailor’s establishment. In the fall of 1879 he returned to Lebanon, clerking until 1881, when he engaged in the dry goods business in the same room as that occupied by his father in 1865-66. In 1881 the building burned, and a year later he erected his present fine building. He is one of Lebanon’s first merchants and citizens and is a member of the K. of P., and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.