G. W. Dowdy, a member of the firm of Dowdy & Cargile, of Saulsbury, was born in August, 1842. His parents were B. F. and Susan (Akin) Dowdy. The father was born in Virginia, July 8, 1816, and immigrated to Tennessee about 1836, locating at La Grange, Fayette County. He was married February 12, 1839, to Miss Akin, who was born in North Carolina November 8, 1824. Her death occurred April 27, 1880, her husband dying December 31 of same year. The subject of this sketch is of Scotch-Irish descent. He attended the Woodland Academy until the outbreak of the late war. He entered the Confederate service, in Company K of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment Infantry. At Murfreesboro, he received a shot on the top of the head. It was the only serious wound he had during his gallant and faithful service. After the surrender, he returned home and engaged as salesman. In 1872, he and his present partner established a general merchandise business at this place, since which time they have been exceedingly prosperous. Mr. Dowdy is an honorable, enterprising and substantial citizen, who has accumulated his possessions by hard work and economy. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and treasurer of The Knights of Honor (K. of H.), and a stanch, earnest Democrat. In May, 1866, he was wedded to Miss Sallie E. Whitlow. Their union resulted in the birth of Theodore, Nicholas, Frank, Ernest, Julius, Joe, Laurie and Mary Susan. Mrs. Dowdy is of an old and highly respected family. Her father, Nicholas (Cowan) Whitlow, was born in Limestone County, Ala., near Athens, September 28, 1821 — a son of Jesse and Sarah (Cowan) Whitlow, married in 1820 in Alabama. Mary Jane Bostwick was born near Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N. C., July 25, 1827—the daughter of William and Caroline Elizabeth (Graham) Bostwick. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlow were married in Tippah County, Miss., July 23, 1844. They had a family of four sons and six daughters. Dr. Whitlow, who was for thirty-three years a practicing physician, died June 8, 1877, and his widow departed this life, July 17, 1881.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”