JOHN N. TOLLEY was born in Livingston County, February 9, 1830. His grandfather, John Tolley, Sr., a Virginian, was one of the first white men to penetrate the wilderness of west Kentucky, having come to the "Dark and Bloody Ground" at a time when there were but one or two permanent settlements within the area of the entire State, and for several years participated in the bloody battles with the savages around Boonesborough, and was an intimate friend and valuable aid to Daniel Boone in his efforts to plant a colony. As the number of settlers in northern Kentucky increased, Mr. Tolley penetrated farther into the savage country, and chanced to pass through that part of Livingston County, now known as Carrsville Precinct, as early as 1792 or 1793; he determined to and did secure a location, choosing the tract of land now occupied by the subject of this sketch. After marking out his claim, and designating it by a few improvements, our pioneer went to Kentucky Purchase, where he raised a company of settlers, and, as their recognized leader, returned to his backwoods home in 1796. After locating he abandoned his adventurous life to some extent, although fond of the excitement of hunting, which sport he carried on until his death, which occurred many years ago. James M. Tolley, subject's father, was born in Livingston County in 1801. He was a farmer and stock raiser, and during his life acquired a handsome fortune. He spent his entire life on the farm where he was born, and died in 1852. The maiden name of subject's mother was Sarah Davis. She was the daughter of David Davis, one of the first pioneers of Livingston County, he having settled near the Tolley farm a few years after John Tolley came to the country. Sarah Tolley was born in Livingston County, and died in the fall of 1863. The family of James M. and Sarah Tolley, consisted of the following children: Louisa, Joseph, John N., William L., Elizabeth, James D., Sarah M., George (deceased), Henry C. (deceased), and two infants not named. The subject of this sketch has lived all his life on the old homestead, which has never been outside the family. He was educated in the country schools and looked after his parents' interests until after their death, after which he came in possession of the paternal estate. He now owns 400 acres of land and is one of the most successful stockmen in Livingston County. He was married February 8, 1859, to Almeda, daughter of Theophilus and Agnes (Nelson) Champion, of Livingston County. Mrs. Tolley was born June 29, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Tolley are the parents of the following children, whose names are as follows: Louvenia, Willis N., James R., Fannie (deceased), Addie and Mary D. Mr. and Mrs. Tolley are members of the Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 835-836.