My Genealogy Hound

John S. Tanner, merchant of Kingsville, Ark., needs no introduction to the people of Randolph County, for his connection with its affairs dates back to 1875, and although his name has never been thrust before the public for purposes of notoriety, he is one of the county’s most successful young business men. He was born in Fulton County, Ark, March 1, 1864, and is a son of William W. and Sarah Ann (Reeves) Tanner, both of whom were born in Obion County, Tenn., the former’s birth occurring in 1832, and the latter’s in 1834. They were married in that county, and moved from there to Fulton County, Ark., being among its earliest settlers, but in 1875 came to Randolph County. The father had been familiar with merchandising from earliest boyhood, but a short time prior to his death, which occurred on the 16th of October, 1888, he had retired from the active duties of business life, and left affairs to the management of his son. He was also engaged in farming, was a Mason, a Democrat, and while in Tennessee held the office of constable, and after coming to Arkansas was justice of the peace for several years. He served in the Confederate army throughout the war, and was a participant in a number of important engagements. His widow now resides in Kingsville, Ark., and both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Of their nine children our subject is the third, and eight of the family are now living: Mary F. (Blackwell), Nancy W. (Baker), John S., William S. (who is deputy clerk of Randolph County), Sarah A., Emma J., Ida B., Arthur A. (who died when in his third year) and Lula. John S. Tanner’s early scholastic advantages were received in his native county, and were such as the common schools afforded, but these advantages he improved to the utmost, and he is now acknowledged by all to be one of the bright, energetic and enterprising young men of the county. In later years he finished his education in the Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tenn., and was one of its most substantial students. February 3, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Nora Ann Fuller, a daughter of Albert Fuller. She was born in Grayson County, Ky., and is the mother of two children: Nellie G. and Guy W. Mr. Tanner and wife are in communion with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and as far as his political views are concerned Mr. Tanner has followed in the footsteps of his father, being a stanch Democrat.