James M. Burnley, McCracken County, was born in Smith County, Tenn., March 18, 1847. His father William Burnley was a native of Virginia and moveed to Tennessee when a young man. He was a carpenter by trade but farmed during his later years. He came to McCracken County, in 1854, locating where our subjecr now lives and died in December 1867. His widow formerly Dolly Bradley is yet living at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of eleven children. At twenty one years of age James M. Burnley began farming for himself and was thus engaged till 1874; at that date he went into the hotel business and later into the milling business and owned and operated the Woodville Mill. He then sold out and re-engaged in farming and dealt extensively in tobacco. His present farm consists of 350 acres adjoining the town of Woodville, in which place he also owns property. He was united in marriage December 18, 1877, to Miss Mattie Suttle, of McCracken County. This union has given three children: Jack, James, and Mattie.