My Genealogy Hound

PROF. J. B. HANCOCK. A. B., A. M., principal of Maple Hill Seminary, was born in July, 1848, in Wilson County and is the son of Martin and Martha (Handcock) Hancock. The father was of Scotch lineage and was born in 1827 in Wilson County. He was a farmer by occupation. His parents, our subject’s grandfather and grandmother, were natives of Virginia, coming to Tennessee as early as 1796. They remained in the fort at Nashville for a short time and then came to Wilson County. The grandfather settled on Pilot Knob and assisted in farming the first settlement. Martin Hancock located in the Nineteenth District and purchased 300 acres of land. Here he remained until his career ended. He died April 16, 1876. The mother was of Scotch lineage, a native of Wilson County, Tenn., and her birth occurred in 1832. Since her husband’s death she has been living with her son. Prof. J. B. Hancock. The subject of this sketch was reared at home and received the rudiments of his education in the county schools. At the early age of fourteen he assumed control of his father’s farm and managed it successfully for some time, and when nineteen years of age he entered the sophomore Class of the Cumberland University, graduating with honors June, 1870. He then entered the teacher’s profession and was elected president of Woodbury College, Cannon County, where he remained for two years. Subsequently he was president of different colleges and at the present is president of Maple Hill Seminary, of which institution he is the founder and proprietor. It was organized September 1, 1880, for the purpose of educating young ladies. It is beautifully situated west of Lebanon on the Nashville & Lebanon Pike. It had a gradual increase from its organization and at the present accommodates 118 pupils. Prof. Hancock owns 268 acres of land and supplies his boarding school from the products of this fertile farm. He also owns the old homestead of 300 acres. As an educator, Prof. Hancock ranks among the leaders of the county and is universally recognized as a very able instructor and disciplinarian. In 1870 his alma mater conferred on him the degree of A. B., and in 1873 the degree of A. M.; October 15, 1874, be wedded Julia J. Harris, daughter of Baker W. and Sarah Harris. Mrs. Hancock was born October 29, 1852, in Wilson County. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity (Knights Templar) and K. of P., having taken all the degrees. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife of the Christian Church.