M. H. Jernigan, a well known resident and farmer of the Thirteenth Civil District, was born in Hardeman County December 4, 1834. His parents were Arthur A. and Sarah (Howell) Jernigan, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1804 and immigrated to Tennessee at an early date, locating in Hardeman County, where he died about 1859. The mother was born in 1814; was a relative of the late distinguished Rev. R. B. C. Howell, of Nashville, Tenn. Her death occurred in 1884. There was an extensive connection of children and grand-children, numbering in all about eighty-five. Our subject is of Scotch-Irish descent. He was raised on a farm; was working on his mother’s place at the outbreak of the late war. His educational advantages were of the most inferior character. When he attained his majority he could scarcely write his name, but by study, application and reading a good class of literature, has become well informed and fairly educated. In 1863, he entered the Confederate service, and was soon captured and was imprisoned at Alton, Ill.; shortly afterward he was sent to Fort Donelson, making the length of his confinement about seventeen months. He was released but a short time before the surrender; after which he returned home and engaged in farming and school teaching alternately. He was elected in 1875 to the office of magistrate, to fill the unexpired term of R. N. Mitchell, and has served since that time. July, 1865, he married Miss Smithie E. Tennyson, of Mississippi. To their union five children were born: Loudella D., the wife of M. J. Brannam of Gibson County; Martha D., wife of A. J. Brannam of this county; Arlington Lee; Hiram A.; and Mary Rosella, whose death occurred August 14, 1873. Mr. Jernigan is a respected member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He belongs to the Masonic order at Rose Creek, McNairy County, and is a stanch Democrat. He is of high social standing, a self-made, substantial and worthy man.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”