My Genealogy Hound

John A. Grayson is a son of Benjamin and Jane (Lamb) Grayson. The father was born in East Tennessee and the mother in Virginia. They resided in the former place until the father’s death in 1843. He was a Whig and farmer, and the father of ten children, eight of whom lived to be grown. After his death, the mother and children moved to Arkansas, where she died in 1855. John A. Grayson was born in Marion County, Tenn., October 23, 1832. His school days only amounted to about ten months, but he afterward acquired a fair education in the business affairs of life. He hired out by the month at the age of sixteen and gradually rose, until he finally began merchandising, which he carried on three years. He was book-keeper in a large store about three years, and in 1861 joined Company E, First Arkansas Mounted Riflemen (Churchill), and after serving one year in that regiment, was transferred to the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and was elected first lieutenant. After the consolidation of the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Regiments he was made quartermaster and filled the position until the cessation of hostilities. He is the present owner of 100 acres of good land, which he has made by his own exertions. He is a Democrat and held the position of magistrate one year. In 1864 he married Avey R. Altman, born in Madison County, December 12, 1844. To them were born nine children, seven of whom are living. Husband and wife and oldest son belong to the Christian Church. The oldest daughter is a Missionary Baptist.