Francis M. Proffitt, a prosperous farmer of Nineveh Township, is a native of Tennessee, born September 1, 1833, the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Cox) Proffitt. The father was a native of Tennessee, of English descent, and the mother is also a native of Tennessee, of English descent. Our subject was reared in Greene County, Tenn. He received a good common school education in the old log school-house. In 1858 he entered Mossey Creek College, and remained one term. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself as a teacher. He taught school until thirty years of age, and has taught about twenty years. He taught five years at Amity, near Edinburg. April 4, 1865, he was united in marriage with America Richardson, a daughter of Dudley and Elizabeth (Brent) Richardson. This union was blessed with the following children: Elmon M., born April 30, 1866; Ernest G., February 12, 1870; Maris M., December 27, 1876. The mother of these children was born June 13, 1846. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he is a republican. He now owns a nice farm of seventy acres. He and wife are among the well-respected families of this township.