A. J. Blackwell, merchant, of Lobelville, Tenn., was born October 11, 1861, in Hickman County, Tenn. He was reared on his father's farm, and, after attaining his twenty-second birthday, farmed two years on his own responsibility, and in the spring of 1885 embarked in the mercantile business at Lobelville, Perry County, and still continues the same with good success. He carries a general stock of hardware, queensware and glassware, groceries, dry goods, etc., the stock amounting to about $1,500. Mr. Blackwell's education. has been obtained principally in the common schools of the county. In the spring of 1885 he and his brother, W. J., came into possession of the home, on which his store building is located, on his share, a tract of fifty acres, which contains iron ore. His parents, Jackson and Mary (Rise) Blackwell, are still living. They were married in this State, and have lived the most of their lives in Hickman County, following farming.