Printed for "Goodspeeds History of Tennessee"

Hon. LaFayette F. McHaney, one of the influential and best known residents of the Second District, was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1925. He was the seventh of a family of ten children born to Cornelius and Patience (Hurt) McHaney. His father was born in Pittsylvania County, VA, of Irish descent, a farmer by occupation. He came to Henderson County, Tennessee in 1933, being one of the early settlers, and was an extensive land owner, having 1,000 acres. His father died on August 19, 1842. His mother was of Scotch origin; born in Charlotte County, VA, 1796, departed this life in July 1836. LaFayette was ten years old when his parents came to Tennessee; received his education in Lexington; at the age of seventeen he became a salesman in a general store. In 1848, with his two brother, he established a store in Mifflin. He was an ardent and earnest Democrat, one of the strong and leading members of the party. In 1858 he was elected deputy sheriff of the county, serving until 1962; he was elected to the State Legislature in 1880 and two years later elected as joint representative from Madison and Henderston Counties, thus demonstrating the high regard in which he was held by his people. He was one of Henderson County's most able and enterprising men. He owned about 800 acres of valuable land and had a delightful home. In 1849, Mr. McHaney married a daughter of Felix and Caroline Henry, Miss Samantha L. Henry, a native of the county, born in 1829. She died in 1860, leaving two children, Robert and Ida. In 1863, Mr. McHaney married Miss Minerva M. Jones, who was born in Madison County, in 1845. Their union was blessed with four children, Caroline, Bessie May, William and Guy. Mr. and Mrs. McHaney were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.