My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM B. TATUM, one of the prominent farmers of the Twenty-second District, was born in 1821, in Sumner County, Tenn., and is the son of Ira and Martha (Eddins) Tatum. The father was a native of North Carolina and a teacher by profession in his younger days, and later in life he followed farming. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1825. The mother was born in North Carolina in about 1800, and died about 1872. Our subject at the age of seventeen commenced working at the tanner’s trade, which he continued for four years. At the age of twenty-one he went to Macon, Tenn., and bought 130 acres and commenced fanning on his own responsibility. In three years he returned to Wilson County, and in March, 1846, he wedded Sarah A. Goldston, a native of Wilson County, born in 1823, and a daughter of Eli and Elizabeth Goldston. To Mr. and Mrs. Tatum were born eight children: Martha E., A. Frank, Mary E., William A., Emily A., Thomas E., Edward L. and Ira J. About 1851 our subject bought 111 acres in the Twenty-second District, where he located and is now living. In connection with farming he carried on the tannery business for a period of twenty-five years. Mr. Tatum started in life as a poor boy, but by energy, economy and good management he now owns 440 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.