My Genealogy Hound

JAMES CLAYTON, senior member of the firm of Clayton, Overall & Co., are dealers in general merchandise at Murfreesboro, Tenn. The business was established in 1865 by James Clayton and Rufus Jetton, who kept a grocery store until 1870, and then added a line of dry goods and other merchandise. At this time Mr. Jetton retired and T. B. Ivie took his place. Two years later Mr. Ivie died and in 1875 Mr. Asbury Overall and his brother, John H., became connected with the business, but the latter retired in 1881 and James H. Crichlow purchased an interest in the business and since that time the firm has been as above — doing a successful business, and they are now one of the most firmly established firms in the city. James Clayton, senior member of the firm, was born March 7, 1833, and is a son of Benjamin Clayton, Sr. (see sketch of Dr. H. H. Clayton). James received an ordinary education, and at the age of nineteen came to this city and became salesman in the mercantile business. In 1857 he engaged in a similar business in Nashville, but a year later came to Murfreesboro and kept a hat, cap, boot and shoe store with Rufus Jetton. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-third Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and soon after became quartermaster, with the rank of captain. In 1864 he was commissioned major. At the close of the war he and other comrades started home on horseback, but were robbed by bushwackers in the Cumberland Mountains, being compelled to come the rest of the way on foot, and, as above stated, engaged in his present business. October 29, 1868, he wedded Haddeassa Cowan, who bore him seven children. Mr. Clayton has always been a Democrat in politics, and was mayor of the city for the years 1881-82, during which time the corporation debt was very considerably reduced and its affairs placed upon a firm and solid basis. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Asbury Overall, general merchant, and member of the above firm, was born on the 20th of April, 1844, and is a son of James and Rachel W. (Davis) Overall. The father was a farmer and died in Rutherford County in 1874. Our subject secured a fair education and resided on the farm with his parents. In 1875 he removed to Murfreesboro, where he became a member of the present firm. In 1881 Mr. Crichlow became a partner and they are now doing a thriving business. In 1878 Mr. Overall married Hudie Lowe. They have two children, Gertrude and Floyd. In November, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Regiment Tennessee Infantry. He was captured at Atlanta and held at Camp Chase, Ohio, until April, 1885. He is a Democrat and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.