My Genealogy Hound

Alex Lackey, a native of South Carolina, was born in 1771, and in 1800 came to Rutherford County, Tenn., where he married Miss Kelton, by whom he had three sons; James A., William K. and Alex R. This wife died about 1816, and four years later he married Eleanor Garmany, who bore him one son and five daughters. The father and both his wives were members of the Old Presbyterian Church. He and Gen. Andrew Jackson raised the first house in Murfreesboro. He served during the war of 1812, and was a farmer through life. He was a Jacksonian Democrat in politics, and died in 1853. His wife died in 1840. James A., the eldest son of the first marriage, was born February 14, 1809, in Rutherford County. When young he began the study of medicine, and after graduating at the Transylvania Medical College in 1836, he came to Lauderdale County, and located in Ripley a short time after. He practiced in the county for forty-eight years, and was one of the most successful and popular physicians, and a highly useful citizen. In early life he filled the offices of postmaster, magistrate, and later had the honor of representing Lauderdale and Dyer Counties twice in the State Legislature; first in 1858-59, and in 1868-69. Politically he was an old line Whig and a strong Union man, but after the war he became a Democrat. He was of a very sympathetic nature, forgetting his own interests in his efforts to forward those of others. In 1842 he married Rebecca Richardson, by whom he had one daughter, who married and died without issue. His death occurred in 1885. The youngest son of the father’s second marriage was Dr. Benjamin F. Lackey, one of the leading physicians of Lauderdale County, born June 15, 1836, in Rutherford County. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, and his early educational advantages were fairly good. After the death of his father he went to school for some time in Murfreesboro, and in 1854 came to Lauderdale County, and three years later began the study of medicine under his brother, James A. He took one course of lectures in 1858-59 at Nashville, and the latter year entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Penn., and graduated in 1860. The same year he began practicing at Ripley, and in 1861 was appointed to the position of surgeon in the First Confederate Cavalry. In December, 1862, he became surgeon of Wharton’s brigade of cavalry, and the March following was promoted to chief surgeon of the first division of cavalry, holding that position till he was paroled at Atlanta, Ga., in April, 1865. He was twice captured during his service, but was only held a few days each time. He has since practiced medicine in Ripley. In 1867 he married Victorine D. Wade, who was born January 1, 1846, in Davidson County, Tenn., and to them were born two children: James H. and Laura V. In 1879 his wife died, and the following year he married Agnes F. Lynn, who was born March 9, 1845, near Knoxville, though raised and educated in Illinois. No children have blessed this union. The Doctor owns about 1,500 acres of land. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.