John J. Flowers, eldest son of W. H. and Sarah T. Flowers, was born in 
Fayette County, Ga., October 8, 1837. He received a practical education in the 
common schools. In 1858 came to Alabama, and, in partnership with a Mr. Thames, 
engaged in the mercantile business at Greenville, where the firm did a large 
and lucrative trade for a period of three years.  Severing his connection with 
merchandising, Mr. Flowers, for the succeeding ten years, lived the life of 
a farmer, but in 1872 moved to Bolling and became a member of the firm known 
as the Milner, Caldwell & Flowers Lumber company, of which he is now general
manager, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Flowers possesses business ability of 
a high order, and much of the success of the large company with which he is 
connected is due directly to his superior management.

He is a democrat in polities, a royal arch Mason and a member of the 
Methodist church.

April 11, 1861, Miss Kate Brooks, daughter of Sawyer Brooks, became his 
wife, to which union the following children have been born: May Flowers, wife of 
R. E. Steiner; Sallie Flowers, wife of Bernard Steiner; Edward P. Flowers, 
bookkeeper for the lumber company with which his father is connected; William 
H. Flowers, student at Vanderbilt University, preparing for the legal profession; 
Brooks Flowers and Marvin Flowers. Marvin died January 14, 1891. July 11, 1878, 
Mr. Flowers had the misfortune to lose his  wife, and in October, 1881, he
married Mrs. Lizzie (Hill) Brown, daughter of  John G. Hill, of Griffin, Ga. 
The children born to bless this union are named John J. Flowers, Jr., and Arthur 
Flowers, who are living at home with their parents.