My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM JEROME WILLINGHAM was born June 6, 1836, in Graves County, Ky., where he still resides. His father, Alexander H. Willingham, was a native of Henderson County, Ky., born in 1809, and died in Webster County, in 1882, a State senator at the time of his death. He carried the first United States Mail from Wadesboro to Iron Banks (now Columbus), Ky., was sheriff many years, and six times, represented Graves County in the legislature. He was the son of Isaac, a Virginian, one of the first settlers in the Purchase. Subject’s mother, Mary H. (Murray) Willingham, of Henderson County, died in 1850, at the age of thirty-nine years. Alexander H. was thrice married, and his child by his first wife is Pulaski M. By his second marriage: subject, James M., Benton P., Mary E. (Hardwick), Robert and Nancy E. Willingham. By his third wife: Amey J. (Walker and Couch), Kittie A. (Hall), Campbell H., Lucy A. and Susan A. (Eades). In youth subject was favored with a good education and is an extensive reader. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of J. W. Willingham of Graves County. She was born September 29, 1847, and died January 12, 1872. From this union sprang William M. and Jennie R. On January 6, 1876, subject married Miss Maggie E., daughter of William R. and Mary A. (Burges) Roach, of Franklin County, Mo. (born October 29, 1850), and to them were born: James S., Bessie R., Oscar T., Daisey and Grover Cleveland. Mr. Willingham, our subject, commenced merchandising at Water Valley in 1874, and has been very successful. He served four years during the late war in the Twelfth Tennessee and Third Kentucky Infantry, Confederate cause. In politics he is a Democrat.