My Genealogy Hound

James J. Richardson, M. D., of Milan, Tenn., is a native of Gibson County, born May 28, 1840, son of Johnson W. and Margaret B. (Higgins) Richardson, who were born respectively in East Tennessee and North Carolina. The father came to Gibson County in 1824, and there followed farming successfully until his death, June 25, 1861. He was magistrate of the First District a number of years, and was a Democrat and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. His wife and five children still survive him. He went from here to Alabama to marry his wife, and they rode horseback from near Huntsville, Ala., to this county. James J., our subject, was reared on a farm, and attended Bluff Springs Seminary, but finished his education at Howard College, Marion, Ala. In 1859 he began reading medicine, with Dr. W. R. Rooks, and in 1860 and 1861 attended lectures at the Nashville (now Vanderbilt) University. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. E. H. Williams’ company (known as the “Milan Greys”), Twelfth Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and served as second lieutenant. He was wounded at Shiloh, and discharged, and afterward joined Capt. Floyd’s company of Mississippi cavalry, serving as private two years. He was detailed as a recruiting officer to West Tennessee, and organized Company H, of Maj. G. W. Bennett’s battalion of Forrest’s cavalry, and served as captain of the same until the company had so diminished in numbers as to be consolidated, when he was transferred to Gen. Kirby Smith’s command, and served as a private until the surrender. In the fall of 1865 he entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., and graduated an M. D. in March, 1866. He practiced in Arkansas, and in 1867 returned to Tennessee, and practiced in Carroll County until 1873, then came to Milan, and has since had a lucrative practice in the city and vicinity. February 13, 1867, he married Harriet N. Miree, a native of Perry County, Ala. They have three children: James Hunter, Lena and Bessie. The Doctor is a Democrat, and a member of the Gibson County Medical Society, and is a Mason. He is an enterprising citizen, and is a medical practitioner of exceptional ability.