My Genealogy Hound

JOHN A. McMEEN, a successful farmer of Maury County, Tenn., and a native of this county, was born January 21, 1838, and is a son of Thomas F. and Elizabeth (McKay) McMeen, both of whom were natives of this State. The father was a tiller of the soil, and in connection with this carried on a blacksmith shop His death occurred May 12, 1854. The mother died March 10, 1849. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm, and secured but a limited education. At the age of nineteen he began merchandising, and followed this business three years, after which he began farming. In 1861 he was engaged in the commissary department of the Confederate Army, and February 9, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, First Tennessee Heavy Artillery, serving with them until captured at Port Hudson. He was then kept prisoner at St. Louis a short time, and was afterward stationed at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Ind., where he remained until the close of the war. He then returned to Tennessee, and engaged in farming until 1880, when he removed to his present place, and he has been steadily engaged in farming and stock raising ever since. November 14, 1859, he wedded Harriet D. Cook, a native of Kentucky, and to this union were born five children, only three of whom are now living: Thomas S., John W. and Charles W. Charley died in 1870, and Ashley in 1868. Mr. McMeen is a Democrat, and himself and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.