Frank M. McGlathery, of the firm of Mercer & McGlathery of Toone, is a native of Alcorn County, Miss., born June 13, 1847, a son of Samuel E. and Nancy S. (Surratt) McGlathery. The parents were married in northern Alabama in 1839, and moved the same year to what is now Alcorn County, Miss., where they have since lived. The father is of Scotch descent, a native of Lincoln County, Tenn., born February 10, 1818. He was engaged in farming until the year 1880, when for four years he sold goods in Corinth, Miss., but since then has lived a retired life. He is a Democrat and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother was born in Alabama June 10, 1821, and is of French ancestry. She is a member of the same church as her husband. Frank M. enjoyed fine educational advantages, receiving a good academical education, after which he clerked in his uncle’s store at Booneville, Miss., one year. In 1869, he entered the firm of .A. J. Borroum & Co., druggists at Corinth, Miss. In 1870, he secured a position as assistant depot agent at Bolivar, Tenn., and at once began the study of telegraphy and soon became an expert in that branch of railroad work. November, 1872, Mr. McGlathery was appointed operator and agent at Voiden, Miss., and in May, 1873, was transferred to Toone, Tenn., where he was connected with the railroad business for eleven years. He then resigned and has since given his attention exclusively to mercantile interests, and now owns one half interest in a stock of goods valued at $15,000 or $20,000. May 1, 1872, Mr. McGlathery married Miss Mattie E. Mercer, who was born May 14, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. McGlathery are the parents of six children — three sons and three daughters — two sons deceased. Mr. McGlathery is a Democrat and he and wife are influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”