Giles County Representatives

Bowers, James Austin
(1830-1878)

House; 39th General Assembly, 1875-77; representing Giles and Lincoln counties; Democrat. Born in Giles County Feb. 14, 1830; son of George and Nancy Bowers. Graduated, 1854, from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa.; entered Ophilhamic HOspital and Bellvie Hospital, both in New York City, graduating 1858.

Married first, Nov. 3, 1867, to Nancy Vaughn; second marriage, date not determined, to Mrs. E.M. Harney; children, by which marriage not found-- James, and a daughter whose anme is not indicated. Practiced medicine and engaged in farming at Elkton, Giles County.

Elected, 1874, to Giles County Democratic Executive Committee.

In Confederate Army; on roll of Co. K. 3rd (Clack's) Tenn. Infantry, which was organized at Lynnville, Giles County, May 16, 1861; appointed 1st lieut. Aug. 7, 1861; promoted to regimental surgeon Nov. 11, 1861; escaped from Fort Donelson after the surrender and rejoined regiment after it was exchanged; made chief surgeon 1862; appointed general inspector of hospitals by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Joined Methodist Episcopal Church South 1877. member Free and Accepted Masons with degree of Master Mason, 1854; Royal Arch Masons, 1857, Knight Templor 1871. Died at home in Giles County July 13, 1878; buried in Giles County, exact place not indicated.

Sources: Pulaski Citizen, Jan. 29, Sept. 10, 1874. Aug 15, 1878, Prepared Roster, House , 39th General Assembly; goodspeed, History of Giles County, 758; Giles County Marriage Book , 109; Microcopy Tenn. Confederate Service Records, roll 121, Richardson, Tennessee Templars, 18.

Brown, Aaron Venable
(1795-1859)

Senate; 14th and 15th General Assemblies, 1821-25; 16th General Assembly, Extra Sess., Oct. 16, 1826-Sept. 17, 17th General Assembly, 1827-29; representing Giles and Lincoln counties in all sessions; House, 19th General Assembly, 1831-33;representing Giles County; Democrat. Born in Brunswick County, Va., Aug. 15, 1795; son of the Rev. Aaron and Elizabeth (Melton) Brown. Sent while quite young to Westrayville Academy in Nash County, N.C.; attended University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, graduating as valedictorian of class.

Buford, James
(1784-1849)

House; 23rd and 24th General Assemblies, 1839-43; Representing Giles County; Democrat. Born in Brunswick Parish, Amelia County, Va., Dec. 30, 1784; son of James and Pricilla (Ragsdale) Buford. Extent of schooling not determined. Married Oct 8, 1812, to Mary Polly Giddens; children- Thomas J., Albert, Eliza, William, James III, and Margaret. Came with father from Virginia to Williamson co. in 1807; settled two years later on land in Giles Co given him by father; place known as Buford Station. Sheriff of Giles County 1810-14. Commissioned ensign in Volunteer Rifle co., 37th Regt. (Giles Co.) Tennessee Militia. Member Baptist Church. Died in Giles Co. Feb. 5, 1849; place of burial not indicated. Father of Albert Buford and of Thomas J. Buford; grandfather of Frank Giddens Buford, sometime members Tenn. General Assembly.

Source: Buford family 379-95; McCullum, giles County, 118, 124; Pulaski citizen Mar 26,1874; Goodspeed History of Giles Co. 750.

Thomas J. Buford
(1813-1860)

House; 28th and 30th General Assemblies, 1849-51, 1853-55; representing Giles co. Democrat. Born in Giles Co. c. 1813; son of James and Mary Polly (Giddens) Buford; extenet of schooling not determined. First married Aug. 6, 1839 to cousin Maary Buford, daughter of Spencer Buford; date of her death not found; second marriage, date and place not indicated, to Mary Ann Gordon, daughter of Thomas K. and Elizabeth Gordon; there were 7 children; the last four being definitely by second marriage, not clear as to mother of first three;;the children-, in order of birth were: Mary Elizabeth, James Thomas, Sarah Louise, Frank Giddens, William Wallce, Annie Gordon, and Edward. Lived in Mississippi in early manhood; returned to Giles Co and engaged in farming at Lynnville; first president Nashville and Decatur Railroad. Had served in Gen Assembly of Mississippi before returning to Tenn. Member Baptist Church. Died in 1860; exact date of death and place of burial not determined. Son of James Buford; son in law of Thomas K. Gordon, father of Frank Giddens Buford; brother of Albert Buford, sometime members Tenn. General Assembly.

Source: Buford Family 379-95; Prepared Roster, House 28th Gen Assembly; Goodspeed, History of Giles County, 850.

Robert Malone Bugg
(1805-1887)

House; 29th General Assembly, 1851-53; representing Giles co; Whig; Senate, 37th General Assembly, 1871-73; representing counties of Giles, Lawrence, and Wayne; Whig party had ceased to exist and party lines not clearly indicated in 1871 session. Born at Boydton, Mecklenburg Co. Va., Jan 20, 1805; son of John and Sallie (Malone) Bugg. Attended public schools in Virginia. Married, date and place undetermined, to Mrs. Martha (Laird) McEwin, daughter of John Laird; one son- Robert Malone, Jr. Came to Tennessee with parents c. 1824; taught school in Williamson co. several years; moved to Giles Co to engage in farming near Lynnville. Elected justice of the peace 1840; elected as a Whig to U. W. HOuse of Representatives, 33rd congress, serving from Mar 3, 1853 to Mar 3, 1855; declined to seek reelection. Member primitive Baptist church and clerk of the Fountain Creek Association. Died at Lynnville Feb. 18, 1887; buried in McLaurine graveyard at that place. Father of Robert Malone Bugg, Jr. someitme member Tenn. Gen. Assembly.

source: Biographical Directory of American Congress; Whig courier (Pulaski), Jan. 31, 1840; Western Star (Pulaski) Oct. 25, 1849; Dec. 5, 1851; Pulaski Democrat, Feb. 23, Mar 2, 1887.

Robert Malone Bugg, Jr.
(1838-1928)

House; 53rd General Assembly, 1903-05; representing Giles Co.; Democrat. Born in Giles Co. March 5, 1838; son of Robert Malone and Martha Laird Bugg. Extent of schooling not determined. Married but name of wife, date and place of marriage not found; one daughter- Mrs. Walter Whitfield, and one son whose name is not indicated. Lived in Texas 1858-1868, returned to Lynnville, Giles co. where he remained for life except for temp. employment at Augusta, Ark. Feb 7, 1908 - Aug, 5, 1901. Member Christian Church.