john allan wyeth was born on may 26, 1845 in guntersville, alabama. his father, louis wyeth, was a lawyer who founded the city of guntersville in 1848 and later served in the alabama state legislature. his mother, euphemia allan, was the daughter of john allan, a presbyterian minister who was opposed to slavery. on his paternal side, wyeth was related to george wythe, a virginia lawyer who was also opposed to slavery. he grew up on a southern plantation.