| J. W. Lyon was born in Wake County, N. C., in 1824. He is one of five surviving members of a family of six children born to W. W. and Mary (Oliver) Lyon, who were both born in North Carolina, the former in Caswell County, in 1796, and the latter in Wake County, in 1803. They were married in their native State and came to Henry County, Tenn., about 1831, where the father died in 1854 and the mother in 1879. Our subject was educated in a small school near his home, and by his own efforts. November 23, 1851, he wedded Jane Hinton, who was born in Madison County, September 10, 1827, and died October 13, 1852. His second wife, whom he married in 1853, was born December 26, 1825, and died February 22, 1876, leaving five children: Sarah F. (Mrs. E. A. Taylor), James B., Lou Emma (Mrs. J. P. Booth), L. H. and Ascenith (Mrs. John Shaw). In 1848 Mr. Lyon located in Gibson County, which is now a part of Crockett County. September 13, 1876, he married Mrs. Nancy A. Byers, daughter of Eli Smith. She was born in Rutherford County in July, 1834. From 1854 until the breaking out of the war Mr. Lyon was magistrate of his district, and after the close of that conflict, held the position for some time and then refused further re-election. He owns over 800 acres of very fine land and has his home place well improved and under good cultivation. He has always taken great interest in internal improvements and has given his hearty support to all enterprises for the public welfare. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and although opposed to the principles of secession, sympathized with the Southern cause. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years, and he and wife belong to the Missionary Baptist Church. |
