John W. Nuckolls, M.D., a well known physician and extensive planter, a resident of Toone, Hardeman Co., Tenn., is a native of the county where he resides, born December 7, 1840, the fourth of nine children, eight now living, born to Starling and Narcissa (Whitaker) Nuckolls. The father was of Welsh descent, born in Virginia in 1784, but when a child came to Tennessee and settled in Robertson County. He was engaged in farming and the milling business and was a prominent man of his day. He died in 1860. It is thought the mother was a native of Lincoln County, Tenn. She was much younger than her husband and died in Hardeman County in 1876. John W. in the fall of 1861 entered the Confederate States Army and joined what was known as Capt. J. J. Neely’s company of cavalry and was received in Forrest’s command. He served two years under him, but was captured in December, 1863, and was held as a prisoner of war several weeks in Bolivar, but was finally released upon taking the oath of allegiance. December 5, 1867, he married Miss Fannie R. Anderson, daughter of Edward Anderson, of Hardeman County. She was born in 1845, and they are the parents of eight children, six now living. Immediately after his marriage, he began the study of medicine, and in 1870-71 attended the Medical College of Nashville, after which he returned home and began practicing in connection with Dr. J. R. Anderson establishing a drug store at the same time. Dr. Nuckolls dissolved partnership with Dr. Anderson after two years’ connection. He now owns a fine residence in Toone valued at $5,000, besides 4,000 acres of land in Hardeman and Madison Counties. Dr. Nuckolls is a Democrat in politics and his religious views are in sympathy with the Missionary Baptist Church.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”.