Son of Dr. John Nowlin and Nancy Dixon, both of Virginia, who migrated to Alabama about 1823.
The 1900 census gives Nov 1824 as his date of birth, while cemetery records indicate Dec 1823, which is consistent with the family history.
Listed as S.G. Nowlin (27, VA) in the 1850 census with his wife Ruth, 3 daus and month old son James - all born in Alabama.
Biographical Souvenir of Texas (Chicago: Battey, 1889), Texas State Library -
"In 1858 Sherrod Nowlin moved to Texas with his family. He lived in Fannin County, near Honey Grove for six years. Then he moved to Grayson County, which was an unbroken prairie. He began a settlement and forever remained on that site. He raised nine children, all of whom settled within 50 miles of his original homestead. Sherrod Nowlin taught all of his children to live useful and productive lives, he provided well for their schooling and instilled them all with the truths of the gospel."
Listed as Shereden Newlin (48, VA) in 1870 as a farmer with wife Ruth, 4 daus and 3 sons.
Listed in 1880 census as S.G. Nowlin (58, VA) with his wife, 2 daus and a son.
Listed with his second wife of 5 yrs, Martha (Sep 1869, NC) and her two sisters in 1900.