James L. Sloan was born in Rhea County, Tenn., in 1841, son of James B. and Mary A. (Starrett) Sloan. The father was born in 'New York and the mother in Virginia. They were married in the latter State and moved to Tennessee, locating in Rhea County, in 1836, where they remained until the father's death in 1845. The mother returned to her former home in Virginia, where she remained until 1854, then returned to Tennessee, and died at her son's' residence in Linden October 24, 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Our subject remained with his mother until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in the Eleventh Tennessee Infantry, being second lieutenant of his company until the close of the war. After the first year of the war he was frequently detailed on the ordnance department, being an iron and brass molder by trade. At the close of the war he returned to Nashville, but soon after moved to Centreville, Hickman Co., Tenn., at which place he was admitted to the bar. In 1869 he located at Linden, where he has since enjoyed a large and lucrative practice in Perry and adjoining counties. January 8, 1861, he married Sarah W. Corbitt, of Nashville, and of their ten children, five are living: Walter N., Mary F., Chester L. H., Leonidas W. and James P. Mr. Sloan is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of H. and I. O. W. M. He is Post Junior Grand Warden of F. & A. M.