A Civil War Biography Felix Kirk Zollicoffer Zollicoffer was
born 19 May 1812 in Bigbyville, Maury County, Tennessee. He
received his early education in the old field schools then spent
a year working on his father's plantation. He spent the next
year studying at Jackson College in Columbia, Tennessee then, at
the age of 16, he began a career in the newspaper business in
Paris, Tennessee. The first paper on which he worked failed in
1830. He then became a journeyman printer in Knoxville,
Tennessee where he stayed until 1832. In 1834 he became editor
and part owner of the Columbia Observer. He also helped edit the
Huntsville Mercury and the Southern Agriculturist. In 1835 he
was named state printer. He fought in the Seminole War of 1836
serving as a lieutenant in the Tennessee Volunteers. In 1841 he
became editor of the Nashville Republican Banner, a major
publication of the Whig party. He served as adjutant general of
Tennessee from 1841 until 1843. He served as comptroller of
Tennessee from 4 October 1843 un