James Rufus Tackett
James Rufus was the son of Sherwood and Mary L. Campbell Tackett. He was born April 19, 1867 in Lewis Co. Ky and died November 4, 1967 in Olive Hill, Carter Co. Ky. James married Myra Ellen Brown, the daughter of Harvey and Martha Alexander Brown on March 1, 1888 in Carter Co. Ky.
They had the following children: Arthur D., Herbert Allen, Mattie Mae, James Elbert, Viola, Iris, Lula, Effie, Martha Ellen, Marie and Elmo Eugene.
He was known as "Uncle Jim" to everyone far and wide in the Olive Hill, Carter Co. area. At the age of 10 he built a wooden water mill at Gimlet to grind Bran. He worked as a foreman at General Refractories and invented machinery and processes which were patented and used throughout the industry, including a brick-sizing machine utilizing a knife, auger and repress. It made uniform bricks and made building a lot easier for everyone. He was a Republican politically and a Baptist by faith. They held a big celebration for his 100th birthday. James Rufus was the youngest brother of Thomas J.W. and an uncle to Thomas Henry. His grandfather was Moses.
Submitted by: Janet Barras
From the Grayson Journal-Times
Submitted by: John W. Grace