USA > Tennessee > Bedford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 92
USA > Tennessee > Marshall County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 92
USA > Tennessee > Wilson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 92
USA > Tennessee > Maury County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 92
USA > Tennessee > Williamson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 92
USA > Tennessee > Rutherford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 92
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JAMES VANNATTA was born February 9, 1811, in Williamson County, Tenn., and was reared and educated in the country. January 12, 1831, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Watson, and by her became the father of three children: Samuel, Hibernah K. and Jolin S .. only one of whom is living. Mrs. Vannatta died in 1839, and for his sec- ond wife Mr. Vannatta took Mrs. Jerusha (Clardy) Nash, and to them were born the fol- lowing children: Delphia A., Joseph R., George W., Charity A., Eliza F., Christopher C.
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and Nannie D. In 1850 Mr. Vannatta moved to Bedford County, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Vannatta's parents were C. C. and Nancy (Londer) Vannatta, born in North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father came to Tennessee at an early day, locating in Williamson County, near Triune. To him and wife were born the follow- ing children: Maria, James and Katie: only one, James, is now living. The father was in the war of 1812. and was with Jackson at New Orleans. He died on his way home from that place. His widow died in 1839. Both were earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
WARREN WAITE, a prominent farmer of District No. 2, was born June 9, 1827. in Bedford County, near Wartrace. His father, George Waite, was a native of Person County, N. C., born November 18, 1790, and was of English lineage. Our subject's pa- ternal grandfather, Robert Waite, emigrated from England to North Carolina during colonial times, and was a surveyor of lands. George Waite, when a boy, moved with his parents to 'Tennessee, first to Williamson County, and subsequently to Bedford County, where his parents died. He married Miss Nancy B. Warren, a native of North Carolina, born November 30, 1796, and of English-Irish lineage. To this union six children were born. The mother died December 5, 183S, and the father December 21, 1857. The father was a natural mechanic in wood and iron work, and was also a farmer. Our subject re- ceived a practical education in the country schools, and remained with his parents until he reached his majority, when he began merchandising, which he continued about twenty years; also carried on farming at the same time. In 1853 he married Miss Rutha S. Yell, a native of Coffee County, Teun., and to this union were born the following children: George E., Nancy A., Warren S. and James W., all living. Mr. Waite owns a farm of 600 acres, all under a good state of cultivation. HIe was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
PROF. SIMEON V. WALL was born in Williamson County, Tenn., August 22, 1844, son of John B. and Martha E. (Wilson) Wall, and of Scotch-Irish- descent. The parents were born in North Carolina and Tennessee in 1799 and 1803 and died December 31, 1870, and April 15, 1859, respectively. They were married in 1819 and were the parents of thir- teen children. The father was a soldier in the Confederate Army notwithstanding the fact that he was over age. He was an old-time Whig. although an intimate friend of James K. Polk. He was a soldier in the Indian war of 1836. His father, Clement Wall, came to Williamson County, Tenn., in 1804. Our immediate subject, Simeon Wall, was a student in Harpeth Academy before the war. He enlisted in the Twentieth Tennessee Regiment and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga and Franklin and was in many of the battles of the Georgia campaign. Of his war record the Review and Jour- nal of Franklin, Tenn., said: "It is well known that when a mere boy he left this county to serve in the Southern Army and he was recognized all over the army as a brave and gallant soldier." After the war, owing to the financial embarrassment of his father, he completed his education through his own exertions. He has been professor in academies and colleges for nearly twenty years and is one of the successful educators of Tennessee. He is proprietor of the Bedford Academy at Bellbuckle, Tenn., but is soon to sever his connection with this school and take charge of the Culleoka Academy as co-principal. July 28, 1868, our subject married Miss Nannie J. Comer, daughter of Rev. J. J. Comer of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are the parents of nine children-seven sons and two daughters. Prof. Wallis a Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
CAPT. JAMES A. WARDER. a leading member of the Bedford County bar, was born September 24, 1843, at May's Lick, Ky. His father, Walter Warder, was a native of Kentucky, and was an eminent physician of that State. He died when James A. was but about thirteen years of age. The mother now lives in her native State, Kentucky
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Capt. Warder was reared near Maysville, Ky., and received his education at Maysville and at Centre College, Kentucky. When eighteen years of age, in 1861, he enlisted in Company L, Second Kentucky Cavalry, as a private. He was subsequently made first lieutenant of the company and afterward was made captain of Company C, of the same regiment. He held that commission till the close of the war, actively serving in most all the important battles throughout the southwest. Returning from the war he read law. and in October, 1866, was licensed to practice, since which time he has been successfully engaged in that profession. ranking among the ablest lawyers of the State. In 186; he was commissioned attorney-general of a judicial district, but declined the nomination. He was on the Hayes electoral ticket in 1876, and under the administration of Hayes held the office of United States district attorney. He was nominated by his party for the congressional race in 1884, but the Democratic party being largely in the majority he was not elected, he being a Republican and one of the leading men in his party in this part of the State. He was married, January 2, 1865, to Lanra D. Gosling, a daughter of William Gosling, a manufacturer in Shelbyville. Two children have been born to this union, one of whom, Inda Artus, is now living. Mrs. Warder is a member of the Episcopal Church. Capt. Warder's name has frequently been connected with all the important offices of the State. A wide-spread desire existed to nominate him for the Republican candidate for governor, but owing to the time neccessarily required from his profession to make the race against so great a Democratic majority. he discouraged the movement. Just now he is being instructed for, by a number of counties. for one of the supreme judges of the State.
THOMAS W. WARNER, dealer in a general line of groceries and provisions, was horn October 26. 1838, in Shelbyville, being a son of William D. and Mary (Swift) Wainer, both natives of Bedford County. The father was killed when our subject was but one year old, and the mother is still living, having been married three times. Thomas W. was raised by his grandmother, Swift, on a farm, and secured but a common school education. At the age of fifteen he began his own support. He has been engaged as a clerk and merchant for about twenty-five years. He also owns 143 acres of fine land and carries on farming, his residence being one and three-quarter miles west of Shelbyville. on the Fish- ing Ford Pike, in an excellent location. He was married May 20. 1866, to Emma R. Trail, a native of Franklin, Ky. Six children have been born to them, viz. : Hugh, Frazer. William F .. Thomas W., Heury W. and one who died. Mr. Warner and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the Democratic party. He has in his possession a $1 United States coin, bearing the date of 1798. which his father and grandfather each carried. Mr. Warner is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H.
CHARLES A. WARREN (deceased) was born May 21, 1820, in Blount County, Tenn .. His father, Thomas S. Warren, was born and partly raised in Virginia. He immigrated with his parents to East Tennessee when young. He was married in 1809. The mother, Susan Sevier Snyder, was born in Nashville. When she was quite young she was taken to Clarksville, where her parents were murdered by the Indians and she was the only one of the family who escaped. She was then reared by her grandfather, Valentine Sevier, and also lived a great part of her time with Gov. Sevier. The parents of our subject moved to Bedford County in about 1828. The father died in 1856, having been born in 1782. The mother was born in 1791, and died in 1863. There is now but one of the family of ten children raised by them living: Mrs. Jennie Ivie, the widow of C. D. Ivie, of Rutherford County. She was born December 27, 1821. Charles A. Warren was reared on a farm. He served as deputy sheriff of Bedford County for many years in his younger days. He car- ried on farming all his life and was one of the most extensive business men of the county. He was engaged in stock dealing, merchandising, etc. He was noted for his publie spirit and public enterprise and charity to the poor. He was a Democrat in politics. He was married May 2, 1865, to Miss Amy Thompson, daughter of G. W. Thompson. Mrs. War. ren died October 29, 1883, leaving a family of three children: George, Josephine and Stan- Jey S. Five children have been born to the union but two, Mattie Lee and William S .. have died.
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MADISON H. WEBB, farmer, was born in Bedford County, Tenn .. February 5, 1836, and is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth W. (Reeves) Webb. The father was born in Sevier County, Tenn .. June 16, 1792, and died in Bedford County, June 18, 1884. The mother was born July 18, 1793, in Orange County, N. C., and was married to Benjamin Webb September 16, 1821. To this union were born six sons, of whom our subject is the youngest. He was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and assisted his parents on the farm until twenty-one years of age. He was a lieutenant in the Confeder- ate Army, enlisting in the Eighteenth Tennessee Infantry, but was afterward transferred to the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, under Col. Starnes. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Murfreesboro. Chickamauga, and some actions in the Georgia campaign. He was captured at Fort Donelson and held a prisoner at Lincoln Barracks, Springfield, Ill., for the space of one month, when he escaped. December 11, 1867, he wedded Miss Elnora Elam, daughter of James A. Elam. The fruits of this union were five children --- three sons and two daughters. Our subject has a fine farm of 600 acres. He is a Demo- crat; a Mason (Knight Templar), and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church.
JOHN W. WELLS was born May 15, 1843, in Rutherford County, Tenn. His father, Thomas P. Wells, was a native of Virginia, born in September, 1811. When a young man he moved to Williamson County, where he married Miss Susan Smith. a native of this State. To this union six children were born, of whom our subject is the fourth. The mother of these children died when our subject was about nine years old, and the father afterward married Miss Frances Tune, and by her he became the father of two children- a son and daughter. Thomas P. Wells moved to Illinois in 1800, where he now resides; he is a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and is also a farmer. Mrs. Fran- ces (Tune) Wells is now dead. Our subject came to this county with his parents when but eight years of age, and here he was educated at the Flat Creek Academy. In Octo- ber, 1861, he enlisted in the Forty-first Tennessee Confederate Infantry and served in that command about two years. He was then left at Jackson. La., on account of illness, and was there captured and paroled by the Federal Army. He had been captured with his regiment at Fort Donelson and held as a prisoner of war until September, 1862. when he was exchanged. In September, 1866, he married Miss Sarah E. Shoffner, a native of this county and a daughter of Col. L. Shoffner. To this union were born two sons, Othniel D. and Willie S., both living. The mother of these children died September 4, 1973, and in 1874 their father married Miss Margaret C. Jenkins, a native of this county and a daughter of Rev. William Jenkins. To this union the following children were born: Susan M., Thomas E., Edgar J., Ethel and Herbert, all living. Our subject owns a farm of 235 acres on Duck River, all rich bottom land. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and belongs to Shelbyville Benevolent Lodge, No. 122, and he takes an active in- terest in educational matters. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM D. WHEELER is a son of W. W. Wheeler, who was born in Tennesse in 1809, and died in April, 1855. His mother was a Mrs. White; she was born in 1811 and died November 7, 1857. William D. was the eldest of their seven children. He was born in Rutherford County March 12, 1836, and assisted his father on his farm until twenty-one years of age. He followed farming up to the date of the late war. He enlisted in Com- pany G, Forty fourth Tennessee Infantry in 1861, but owing to ill health only remained in the service three months. After his return home he engaged in farming, and has been a fairly prosperous " tiller of the soil." Martha L. Maxwell became his wife January 22. 1861. She was born August 21, 1840, and is the mother of the following family: Mary Ann, Etta Valonie, Malissa Alice and John Watson. Our subject received a common school education and is a supporter of Democratic principles.
ROBERSON A. WHITAKER, farmer, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., Novem- ber 9, 1859, son of Dr. Philander and Rebecca M. (Moseley) Whitaker, and supposed to be of English descent. The father was born in Lincoln County. Tenn., October 19, 1526, and
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November 12. 1850, he wedded Rebecca Moseley, who was born November 12. 1833. To this union were born six children -- four sons and two daughters. The father died July 3, 1869, and the mother July 3, 1885. The Whitaker family were among the early settlers of the State. Our subject was a farmer boy, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen began working for himself. February 3, 1880, Miss Bettie S. Thomas. daughter of William Thomas, became his wife, and by her he became the father of two children: William T. and Mattie M. Mrs. Whitaker was born in the house where she now resides September 9, 1857. Her father, William Thomas, Sr., was born January 31, 1807, and died March 29, 1861. Her mother, Mrs. Jane (MeCrory) Thomas, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., May 28, 1816, and died December 1. 1882. The ancestors of Mrs. Whitaker on her mother's side were formerly from Ireland. and in an ancient Bible, whose leaves are yellow with age, was found the following statement: Hugh McCrory (the great-great- grandfather of Mrs. Whitaker) was born in May, 1759, in the county of Antrim, Ireland. Hle sailed to America in April. 1775. He joined the regular army, and served as colonel under Gen. Washington, and was killed at Alexandria in October, 1177. Our subject is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
THOMAS A. WHITE. farmer, was born May 15, 1819, and is one of seven children born to the union of Thomas and Margaret (McGarrah) White. The father was born in Jef- ferson County, Va .. in 1780, immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Maury County. He re- mained there until 1825 when he moved to Shelbyville and followed the hatter trade. He also kept hotel in Shelbyville several years. In 1801 he was married and became the father of these children: James R., Joseph, Elizabeth. Nancy, John, Susan and Thomas __ 1. Thomas White, Sr., and wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The former died in 1846 and the latter in 1850. The subject of this sketch was born in Columbia. Tenn., and is of Scotch-Irish descent. He received a limited educa- tion in the Bedford County Schools, and in 1841 was married to Miss Ary A. Williams, a native of this county. Five children blessed this union: Mary, Robert. Isaac,H., Margaret and Julia. Three of these have died: Robert, Margaret and Julia. Mrs. White died in 1853, and in the same year Mr. White married Margaret Dryden, of. Bedford County, and to this union were born nine children: Ary (deceased), Julia, Lula, Thomas C., William D., James L., Anna, Walter C. and Susan. Mr. White was a tailor for twenty years of his life but in 1853 turned his attention exclusively to farming. He owns 200 acres of land, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
DR. WILLIAM H. WHITTEMORE, of Haley, was born October 6. 1853, in David- son County, Tenn. His father, William B. Whittemore, was a native of the same county and is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is a prominent farmer of that county, and married Nancy E. Hays, a native of Davidson County and daughter of John Hays. To this union were born ten children, our subject being the eldest. The father and mother are both living. The Doctor was educated at Franklin College, near Nashville, where he gradu- ated in 1869. He received his medical education in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Tennessee, from which institution he graduated in 1878, and then commenced the practice of his profession at Antioch, Davidson Co., Tonn. Here he remained two years and then moved to Nashville, and was elected as county health officer, and held this position three years. He then moved to Haley. Bedford Co., Tenn., where he con- tinues the practice of medicine and has already established an extensive practice. No- vember 8, 1852, he married Miss Georgia M. Tolmie, a native of the city of Nashville and daughter of Alexander McD. Tolmie, a prominent citizen and machinist of that city, who ran the first engine that was run on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and was for a long time master mechanic of that road. To Dr. W. H. Whittemore and wife was born one child. Maggie T. The Doctor is a member of the K. of H. and the Iron Hall. He is a Democrat and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Whittemore is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN W. WIGGINS, a successful farmer and stock raiser, was born December 26, 1812, in North Carolina. He is the son of Harrel and Sallie (Royster) Wiggins. The father
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was born in North Carolina in 1788, and when quite young immigrated to Indiana. where he remained but a few months. He then went to Kentucky, and from there to Coffee County, Tenn .. where he remained until 1830, when he immigrated to Bedford County, and settled in the Twentieth District. He reared a family of seven children, three of whom are living at the present time: John W., David and Harbert. Harrel Wiggins was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and died in 1851. Mrs. Wiggins died in 1873. Our subject was given a fair education in the common schools. In 1835 he was married to Miss Mary Greer, a native of North Carolina. To this union seven children were born, only two of whom are living: Mary A. and Hundley. Mrs. Wiggins was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and died September 15, 1885. Mr. Wig- gins has always been a tiller of the soil. has been rather successful and owns 450 acres of good land.
J. GREER WIGGINS, a farmer of Bedford County, was born December 29. 1842. He is the sou of Benjamin F. and Jane H. (Greer) Wiggins. The father was born in North Carolina, and in the early part of his life immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Bedford County. He left and went to Mississippi, but in a short time returned to Bedford County. Hewas a farmer, and reared a family of eight children: J. Greer, John S., Sarah E., Mary J., William J., Benjamin F., Thomas H. and Fannie E. Sarah E. and Mary J. are both dead. Benjamin F. died in 1883. Mrs. Wiggins died about 1880. Our subject was a country boy, and received a good practical education in the common schools. In 1811 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily V. Evans. daughter of Hampton Evans. To this union were born four children: Bessie F., A. F .. Edward H. and Hampton Evans. Mr. Wiggins has always been a farmer, and is also a carpenter by trade. He owns 149 acres of land, and is one of the leading farmers of the Twenty-second District. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
DAVID WILLIAMS is a native of Bedford County. Tenn., born in May, 1815. His father, Joseph Williams, was born in North Carolina, in 1977, and came to Tennessee at a very early period. He was a farmer, and a soldier in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of New Orleans. In 1813 he wedded our subject's mother, Charity Turrentine, who was born in North Carolina in 1791. The father died in 1876. and the mother two years later. David Williams and Sarah T. Harris were united in marriage in 1836. Mrs. Williams was born in 1816, and her parents, James Harris and Nancy (Thompson) Harris, were born in Pennsylvania and South Carolina, respectively. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams are Almeda, born in 1837; Lou, in 1839; Elvira. in 1841; James H., in 1845; Lafayette, in , 1854; Mollie J., in 1850, and Samuel K., in 1861. Our subject was reared on a farm and has followed farming from early boyhood. He was postmaster of Hickory Hill for several years before and after the war, and in 1869 located on his present farm of 230 acres. He has a neat frame residence, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In politics he is a Democrat.
THOMAS W. WOOD, M. D., of Shelbyville, Tenn., is a son of James and Eliza (Oberall) Wood, natives, respectively. of North Carolina and Virginia. The father was born February 10. 1799, and the mother May 13, 1806. They were married September 17, 1829. Ten children blessed their union: John A., William J., Melissa J., Thomas W., Sarah A., Horace O., Nancy P., Martha H., Eliza T. and James G. Mr. Wood came to Tennessee about 1810, and located in what is now Cannon County, where he remained about two years, and then moved to near Woodbury. where he died November 16. 1565. He bad been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South for nearly forty years. The mother died September 11. 1874. Thomas W. Wood was born in Cannon County, where he received a good common school education, and attended the Lawrence Academy at Woodbury Station. At the breaking out of the war he joined the Eighteenth Tennes- see Infantry, and participated in the battle of Shiloh and numerous skirmishes, and was selected as the one to receive the banner for his company, presented by the young ladies of Woodbury. Owing to ill health he was soon compelled to abandon active service, but was given a position in the commissary department and served as commissary sergeant
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until the close of the war. He was paroled at Macon, Ga., and after his return home engaged in farming and school teaching. He began his medical studies in 1867, and attended his first course of lectures in the medical department of the University of Nash- ville in 1868, 1869 and 1870, graduating the latter year. He has since practiced in Bedford County, and has built up an extensive practice. Dr. Wood was appointed by the county commissioner as physician for the poor asylum, and has held that position ten years. He was twice appointed deputy county clerk of Cannon County, and at one time lacked only a few votes of being the nominee of the Democratic party for representative of Bedford County. He was at one time salesman in a wholesale hat house in Philadelphia.
J. P. WOOD. William Wood was born in North Carolina in 1802, and was married to Elena Meris, also of that State, and our subject was born to them September 20, 1838, in Orange County, N. C. He has always followed the life of a farmer, and at the breaking out of the late war he entered the Confederate Army, in the fall of 1862, enlisting in Company G. Thirty-second Tennessee Infantry. At the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded in the left thigh and was compelled to abandon service. August 15, 1861, he led to Hymen's altar Miss Martha C. Woodward, who bore him nine children, only five now living: Mary L .. Nora W., William W., Joseph O., Winnie L. Mr. Wood is a self-made man, and has been fairly successful in his business undertakings. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the . Christian Church. Mr. Wood is a Democrat.
MOSES WOODFIN, farmer, was born in Bedford County. Tenn., March 7, 1829, and of English-Irish lineage. His father, Samuel Woodfin, was born in Buncomb County, North Carolina, in 1791, and about 1815 married Maria Barnhill, a native of South Caro- lina, boru December 9, 1798, and to them were born fifteen children. The father died April 29, 1863, and the mother in the same county March 8, 1863. Our subject received a good practical education and has followed farming as his chief occupation. He learned the trade of wheelwright which he followed in a regular way for over fifteen years. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Forty-fifth Tennessee Infantry, and participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. At Chickamauga he was wounded and at Missionary Ridge he was wounded again, captured, and taken to Rock Island. Ill., where he remained a prisoner until the end of the war. September 11, 1856, he was married to Miss Rachel A. Clark, daughter of William Clark, and the fruits of this union were eight children-three sons and five daughters; the sons are William J., Samuel N. and James M. P .; the daughters: Mollie E., Emma L., Alice, Ida and Maggie L. Mr. Woodfin is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and wife and five children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Wood- fin, our subject's wife, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., August 9, 1835. Her father was born in North Carolina, in 1807, and her mother in 1817. Her father died Oc- tober 20, 1881, and was of Irish lineage. Our subject's grandfather, Nicholas Woodfin, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was distinguished for his gallantry and bravery on many occasions. Our subject's father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans.
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