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Giles County, Tennessee
Abernathy Biographies
See also A.J. Abernathy's Branch of the Abernathy Family and Abernathy Cemetery Records
CHARLES CLAYTON ABERNATHY, M. D., a successful practitioner, was born near Pulaski October 9, 1827. His early youth was passed on the farm and in attending the county schools. Later he attended the Wurtemberg Academy at Pulaski. He subsequently spent three years at Cumberland University at Lebanon. In 1848 he began the study of medicine under Dr. R. G. P. White, and in the spring of 1851 he graduated at the University of Pennsylvania. Located in Decatur County, West Tenn. In the same year he married Martha J. Stockard, of Maury County, and has two children by this union: Mary G. and Lizzie. After remaining five years in Decatur County, he moved to Pulaski, and here continued the practice until 1862, when he went on duty as a commissioned surgeon in the Army of Tennessee at the hospital at Chattanooga. In December 1862, at his request, he was transferred to the Eighteenth Tennessee Infantry, Col. J. B. Palmer's regiment, Gen. John C. Brown's brigade, and served as the surgeon of this regiment until after the battle of Chickamauga, when he was transferred to the Third Tennessee Regiment, and continued to occupy that position until the close of the war. At the time of the surrender he was a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware, but was released July 19, 1865. In the fall of the same year he resumed the practice of medicine, and is, still actively engaged in his profession. He is one of the leading physicians of this part of Tennessee. Mrs. Abernathy died in 1878, and the Doctor was married again, in 1880, to Mrs. Josephine C. McNairy, of Giles County. Mrs. McNairy was a Miss Wilkinson. Our subject is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a son of Charles C. and Susannah (Harris) Abernathy, and of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was born in Virginia in 1790, and his mother in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1800. The Abernathy family came to Tennessee in 1800, and settled in Davidson County, where the family resided until 1812. The grandfather died in 1835, and the father in 1876. The latter was clerk of the circuit court for twenty-four years. The mother of our subject died in 1845. (Goodspeed's History of Giles County, 1886)
CHARLES ALFRED ABERNATHY, M. D., was born April 1, 1853, son of Alfred H. and Elizabeth T. (Butler) Abernathy, who were born in Giles County. The father for many years was one of the successful teachers of the county. Dr. Abernathy was educated in the common schools and Giles College, Pulaski. At the age of seventeen he quit farm work and began teaching, continuing for three years. During this time he was a disciple of Esculapius, and subsequently attended lectures at the University of Louisville, graduating from the institution as an M. D. in 1865. He practiced one year in Pulaski, and then went to Prospect, Tenn., and formed a partnership with Dr. Theo. Westmoreland, but a year later moved to Lewisburg, Marshall County. In 1880 he returned to Pulaski, where he has since practiced his profession. In May 1885, he formed a partnership with Dr. C. C. Abernathy, one of the oldest physicians of the county. The firm is styled Drs. C. C. & C. A. Abernathy. In February 1884, Dr. Abernathy married Mrs. Ella (Ezell) Flournoy. The Doctor is a Democrat, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. Abernathy is a Presbyterian. (Goodspeed's History of Giles County, 1886)
CHARLES ALFRED ABERNATHY, M. D. A scion of old and honored families is Dr. Charles Alfred Abernathy, who has practiced in Pulaski since 1876. He was born near Pulaski, on the 1st of April, 1853, a son of Colonel Alfred Harris and Elizabeth Todd (Butler) Abernathy. The Abernathys were originally from Scotland, the progenitor of the family in this country having come here in the early colonial days, locating in Virginia. The paternal grandfather, Charles Clayton Abernathy, was born in Brunswick county, Virginia, and came to Tennessee, settling in Giles county about 1800, when a young man. He entered and bought land here, which he cleared and put under cultivation, with the assistance of the few slaves he brought with him. He assisted in clearing the cane and undergrowth for the location of the county seat of Pulaski and he also assisted in clearing the land where the courthouse now stands. He was a dominant factor in the erection of the first log courthouse and was elected county court clerk, which office he held for thirty-six years, being succeeded by his son, Colonel Alfred Abernathy. He was one of the most successful public officials in Giles county and won universal confidence and esteem. He was active in the establishment of schools and churches throughout this county and was one of the directors and organizers of the Wurtemburg Academy, then called Giles College and now the Pulaski high school. He was an extensive landowner and engaged in farming for the greater part of his life and as in every other undertaking, he achieved well-merited success. Grandfather Abernathy was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Harris, a daughter of Judge Alfred Harris, a native of Virginia. His second wife was Elizabeth Dickson, a native of Giles county. He was the father of seventeen children, all of whom were well educated. The demise of Mr. Abernathy occurred in 1871, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a stanch democrat and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The maternal ancestors of Dr. Abernathy came from England, the great-grandfather being a native of that country. Captain Henry Todd Butler, the maternal grandfather, was born in North Carolina and emigrated to Giles county about 1800. He brought a number of slaves with him and buying unimproved land, soon had it under cultivation. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and was one of the foremost planters of his day. His wife was Musidora McNairy, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Robert McNairy, a native of North Carolina. She was related to Judge McNairy, a prominent jurist of Nashville. Both Mr. and Mrs. Butler died on the home plantation in Giles county. Colonel Alfred Harris Abernathy was born in Giles county and died in 1881, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife was likewise born in this county and died in 1878, when fifty-seven years of age. He was educated in the University of Nashville, from which institution he was graduated in 1839. The signatures of Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk appear on his diploma, which is now in possession of his son, Dr. Abernathy. Although he had studied law and was licensed to practice, he turned his attention to educational work, the demand for educators at that time being great. He established a private school at Pulaski and also taught in Giles College for some time. In the midst of his work came the Civil war and, being a man of great patriotism, he was quick to put all personal interests aside and enter the service of the Confederacy. He enlisted in 1861 and was instrumental in the organization of the Fifty-third Tennessee Infantry Regiment, of which he became colonel. He was captured at the battle of Fort Donelson and help captive at Fort Warren, in Boston harbor, until he was exchanged a short time before the close of the war. He served until surrender, however, and then returned to Pulaski, reopening his private school. He was active in its conduct for a number of years and then with Colonel C. C. Rogers and Captain W. R. Garrett, the latter a graduate of West Point, conducted Giles College. In his declining years, however, Colonel Abernathy was a private tutor for boys. Although the greater part of his life was spent in educational work he succeeded his father in the office of county clerk, in which capacity he was active for some twelve years. Both Colonel and Mrs. Abernathy were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed through all the chairs of that lodge. For several years he was a representative to the Grand Lodge. To the union of Colonel and Mrs. Abernathy eight children were born: Henry Gilbert, a teacher, editor and county judge at Garrison, Texas, whose demise occurred in 1922, at the age of seventy-two years; Butler, who was a teacher and farmer and died near Pulaski in 1910, at the age of fifty-six years; Mary C., who was the wife of Clayton Eason and whose demise occurred in 1919, when seventy-three years of age; Musidora, who married William Roden, a successful farmer of Giles county, and died in 1921, at the age of sixty-three years; Elizabeth, who is the wife of J. M. Aymette, a farmer near Pulaski; Jerome C., who is a teacher and farmer of Pulaski; Dr. Charles Alfred, whose name introduces this review; and Letitia, whose demise occurred at the age of three years.
In the acquirement of his early educational training Charles Alfred Abernathy attended his father's private school and subsequently enrolled in Giles College. Prior to taking up the study of medicine he taught school in Giles county for two years and then enrolled in the University of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1875. Later he received a diploma from the New York Polyclinic School and has since taken postgraduate work in the New York Postgraduate School of Medicine. The year following his graduation he began practice in Pulaski and has since resided here, having built up an extensive practice. For over forty years he has been one of the foremost practitioners in the state and his practice carries him over several counties. For forty years he has been local surgeon for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and was county health officer for ten years, and for a like period was physician for the county asylum. For some thirteen years he was a member of the state board of medical examiners and was executive officer of this body for nine years. Twice he was appointed and commissioned by Governor Ham Patterson, was deposed by Hooper, a republican governor, and after four years was reappointed by Governor Rye to that office. Along strictly professional lines he is actively identified with the American Medical Association, Southern Medical Association, Giles County Medical Association, and served as president of the Middle Tennessee Medical Association.
On the 28th of February, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Abernathy to Miss Ella Ezell Flournoy, a native of Giles county, and to their union two children have been born: Shields and Fred, the latter's demise having occurred at the age of four years. Shields is now a noted surgeon of Memphis. He received his medical training at Vanderbilt University and in the New York hospitals and was appointed surgeon on a British ship, sailing from New York to South America. He was commissioned a captain in the World war and was with the Twenty-seventh Hospital Unit in Paris.
Doctor Abernathy gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is well informed on all
the important questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights
of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed through all chairs in both
lodges. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a
Presbyterian. Dr. and Mrs. Abernathy enjoy a large circle of friends and are readily conceded a
place among Pulaski's most substantial and leading citizens. (ibid., pp. 206-8)
WILLIAM LANE ABERNATHY, vice president and director of the Citizens National Bank of Pulaski, was born in Giles county on the 28th of February, 1859, a son of W. H. and Elizabeth (LANE) Abernathy. The paternal grandparents were John R. and Cynthia (BORNE) Abernathy, natives of North Carolina, and the maternal grandparents were William and Sarah Lane, natives of Tennessee. W. H. Abernathy was born in 1822 and was a native of this state. He engaged in the mercantile business for some years, retiring prior to his death. He was justice of the peace for many years and contributed in a marked degree to the upbuilding of the community in which he resided. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he put all personal interests aside and enlisted in Company G, First Tennessee Cavalry, and was captain of said company until he had to retire on account of his health. His death occurred in 1901, and his wife, who was born in 1834, also died in 1901.
William Lane Abernathy received his early education in the public and private schools of Giles county and in due time enrolled in the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College at Nashville. In 1876 he made his initial step into the business world as private clerk in the Giles National Bank and three years later was elected assistant cashier of that institution. In 1892 it was reorganized and the name changed to the Citizens National Bank, and Mr. Abernathy was elected cashier. In 1923 he became president and a director of the institution. His long and varied experience has well fitted him for the many duties devolving upon him, and he has been a dominant factor in the continued growth of the bank.
At Spring Hill, on the 13th of November, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Abernathy and Miss Nora Pointer, a daughter of Captain Samuel and Cynthia Pointer, natives of Tennessee. To their union three children were born: Elise, who was born in 1886, is now the wife of Henry Quay McElwee, manager of the southern field for the Diamond Match Company and a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana; William Lane, Jr., born in 1888, is cashier of the Citizens Bank of Pulaski, Tennessee. He married Miss Lilly Reid Grigsby and they are parents of two children, Florence and W. L., III; Leon Pointer, born in 1893, is a veteran of the World war. He married Miss Virginia Wilds, and they are living in Wildsville, Louisiana. (Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1769-1923, Vol. 2, John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1923, pp. 444-445)
DR. THOMAS EDWARDS ABERNATHY, one of the most prominent members of the medical profession in Chattanooga, was born and reared near Pulaski in Giles county, Tennessee, where he received his early education. He later attended the University of Louisville and received his degree from the medical department in 1893. In May of the same year he located in Chattanooga and has engaged in practice here continuously since that time. In 1904 he took a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic. During his career as a practicing physician he has held a number of positions of responsibility and honor. From 1896 to 1904 he was chairman of the Hamilton county board of health, and from 1904 to 1912 was a member of the Tennessee state board of health, and at one time president of the latter organization. He is a member of the leading medical societies of the country, and in 1908 was president of the Chattanooga Academy of Medicine. For a number of years he has been a consultant of the medical staff of the Baroness Erlanger Hospital, and at one time chief of staff; is one of the local surgeons of the Southern Railway Company. He is president of the local United States pension board, and during the world war was a member of the medical advisory board and served as physician for a number of charitable institutions during this period. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South; is a Mason, Knight Templar and a Shriner.
The doctor is of Scotch ancestry and descended from the Burwells and Abernathys of Virginia. His father, Burwell Abernathy, was a native of Giles county and was one of its leading citizens. He was an extensive cotton planter and prominent in the religious and civil affairs of the county. The grandfather of Dr. Abernathy, Thomas Edwards Abernathy, was born in Virginia but moved to Tennessee in pioneer days and here spent the remainder of his life. He was known as a prosperous and influential citizen.
On the maternal side Dr. Abernathy is descended from Lieutenant Josiah Tannehill and Captain John Wilkins, both of whom fought in the Revolution. His mother, Samuella D. Abernathy, was born in Lexington, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Wilkins Tannehill, who came from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Nashville when a young man to market the product of the large salt works of southern Illinois owned by his uncle, Hon. William Wilkins, who was United States senator in 1831-1834; secretary of war, 1844-1845; and minister to Russia. Wilkins Tannehill was the author of “Tannehill's Masonic Manual,” and editor in 1831 of the Nashville Herald. On April 22, 1851, he laid the cornerstone of the first public school in South Nashville. He was prominent in Masonry, and was for seven times chosen as grand master of the Grand Jurisdiction of Tennessee, and was eminent commander of the first commandery of Knights Templars of the state. He was the orator on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of the state capitol. On June 9, 1819, he delivered the address of welcome to President Monroe, who was on that day a visitor to Nashville. On May 5, 1825, he welcomed General LaFayette in behalf of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. He has four grandsons now living, namely: Admiral Albert G. Berry, U. S. N.; Admiral Albert Gleaves, U. S. N.; Farmer D. Bayless, a prominent business man of Nashville; and Dr. Thomas E. Abernathy of this review.
Dr. Abernathy had three sisters: Helen A., deceased, who was the wife of Dr. George D. Butler; Mrs. Robert D. Abernathy; and Miss Fannie Abernathy of Pulaski. In 1900 Dr. Abernathy was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Selman, of Crystal Springs, Georgia, a daughter of Dr. W. L. Selman, a prominent physician of that state. Dr. and Mrs. ABERNATHY have one child, a son, Edwards Selman Abernathy, who is now a student in the University of Virginia. (Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1769-1923, Vol. 2, John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1923, pp. 444-445)
GILBERT BENJAMIN ABERNATHY. Prominent in the financial circles of Pulaski is Gilbert Benjamin Abernathy, assistant cashier of the Peoples Bank. He was born in Giles county, on the 28th of April, 1888, a member of an old and honored Tennessee family. His paternal grandfather, Colonel Alf H. Abernathy, served throughout the Civil war in defense of the Confederacy. His wife was Elizabeth Butler Abernathy and both were natives of this state. The parents of Gilbert Benjamin Abernathy are Jerome and Elizabeth (Eslick) Abernathy. The father, who was born in 1860, in early life began teaching in Giles county, and was engaged in educational work for some twenty-five years. Later he took up farming and for four years he was active as deputy registrar. Mrs. Abernathy was born in 1863.
In the acquirement of his preliminary education Gilbert Benjamin Abernathy attended the public
schools of his native county and then entered the Abernathy Preparatory School at Pulaski. Upon
the completion of his education he made his initial step into the business world as a clerk in a dry
goods store. He was active in that capacity until 1908, when he entered the employ of the
Peoples National Bank, which in 1916 was changed to the Peoples Bank. Upon its reorganization
Mr. Abernathy was made assistant cashier, a position he has since acceptably filled. Aside from
his duties at the bank, Mr. Abernathy is engaged in the insurance business. On the 25th of
February, 1918, he put all personal interests aside and enlisted at Washington, D. C., in the chief
ordnance department. In April he was sent to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and there received a
promotion to the rank of sergeant. He was subsequently assigned to the One Hundred and
Second Ordnance Company and received his honorable discharge on the 8th of April, 1919. He
immediately returned to Pulaski and resumed his duties at the bank.
At Dickson, on the 8th of September, 1920, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Abernathy to Miss Louise Johnson, a daughter of John and Oddie Johnson, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Abernathy is a young woman of much personal charm and she is socially prominent.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Abernathy has given his stanch support to the democratic party
and the principles for which it stands. He is essentially a publicspirited citizen and he is actively
interested in the furtherance of any movement for the upbuilding of the town, county and state.
Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine and he holds
membership in the Junior Order, United American Mechanics of Pulaski. Socially he is identified
with the Exchange Club. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. (ibid., Vol. 3)
JOHN MATTHEWS ABERNATHY. One of the prominent young attorneys at the Giles county bar is John Matthews Abernathy, a descendant of an old and honored American family, who was born the 21st of September, 1890. His great-great-great-grandfather on the maternal side was Captain Thomas Short, captain of the Virginia militia during the Revolutionary war; his great-great-grandparents were John and Susanne (Short) Lee; his great-grandparents were Benjamin and Frances (Lee) Franklin; and his grandparents were Newton and Dorothy (Franklin) Eslick. His parents are Jerome Clayton and Elizabeth (Eslick) Abernathy. On the paternal side his grandparents were Alfred Harris and Elizabeth (Butler) Abernathy, natives of Giles county, of whom more extended mention is given on another page of this work.
When attaining school age John Matthews Abernathy attended the public schools of Giles county and then entered the Abernathy Preparatory School. Upon the completion of his literary course he entered the West Point Military Academy in 1912 and later became a student in Cumberland University at Lebanon, from which institution he received the LL. B. degree in 1920. He was a teacher of the high school in Pulaski from 1910 to 1914 and he was principal of the high school at Forrest City, Arkansas, from 1914 to 1917.
On the 8th of May, 1917, John Matthews Abernathy put all personal interests aside and enlisted in the United States army for service in the World war. He entered the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Logan H. Roots, near Little Rock, Arkansas, and was commissioned a second lieutenant on the 15th of August and sent to Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas. There he was assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-first Field Artillery, Thirty-second Division, and was transferred to the One Hundred and Nine-teenth Field Artillery, same division, and later sent to Camp Sevier to the One Hundred and Fifteenth Field Artillery, Thirtieth Division. Subsequently he went to Camp Dix, New Jersey, where he was attached to the Three Hundred and Third Signal Battalion and transferred to the Three Hundred and Third Train Headquarters and Military Police. He sailed overseas on the 27th of May, 1918, and landed at Liverpool, England. He then moved to Southampton and crossed the channel to Le Havre, France, where he was stationed until sent to the British area around St. Omer. He remained there three months, at the termination of which time he returned to the American army in the Toul sector and was placed in command of Company A, Three Hundred and Third Military Police, participating in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne drives in September and October, 1918, remaining in command until the 11th of July, 1919. On the 24th of February, 1919, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy and a short time later sailed for home, arriving in Brooklyn, New York, on the 6th of July, 1919. He received his honorable discharge the latter part of the month from Camp Dix and immediately returned to Pulaski.
After the World war Mr. Abernathy studied law and was admitted to the bar immediately. He began practice in Pulaski, and is enjoying a growing practice, having already attained a well-merited position in his profession. Politically Mr. Abernathy gives his allegiance to the democratic party and he is actively interested in party affairs. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Masonic Order, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Exchange Club. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Along strictly professional lines he holds membership in the Pulaski Bar Association and he is identified with the American Legion and the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Abernathy was a member of the textbook commission of St. Francis county, Arkansas, in 1916. He has achieved success in every undertaking and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. (ibid., pp. 869-870)
MARCUS L. ABERNATHY, clerk of Barry County, Mo., was born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1830, and is the son of John Y. and Matilda (ALEXANDER) Abernathy. John Y. Abernathy was born in North Carolina in 1806, of Scotch parentage. When a small boy he was taken by his father, David Abernathy, to Maury County, Tenn. It was here that he grew to manhood and married. He chose farming for his life vocation and soon after his marriage he removed to Giles County, Tenn., where he resided until his death in 1849. He served in the Seminole war. His wife was born in Maury County, Tenn., and died in 1854. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living. They are Ann (wife of Jacob YOKLEY, who resided on the old Abernathy homestead in Giles County), Marcus L., Miles T. (a real estate agent, of Barnum, Texas), Louise J., (wife of John W. STORY, of Williamson County, Tenn,.) Sarah C., (Mrs. G. DUPREE) and Milton S. (a saddler of Rocky Comfort, Mo.) Marcus L. was educated in a pioneer log schoolhouse in Tennessee. He grew to manhood on a farm, making his home with his parents until he was past twenty-one years of age. In 1851 he left his native state for Greene County, Mo., where he purchased land and resumed farming. In 1854 he married Nancy J. SIMS, a native of Greene County, Mo., born in 1836. She became the mother of eight children, viz: Mary, wife of Archibald HESSEE, a hardware merchant of Cassville,) Ophelia M., (deceased wife of W. T. MCCLURE), William A., (a farmer), Ida (wife of J. B. HESSEE, a farmer), Fannie, Frank, Minnie and Walter. In August, 1861, Mr. Abernathy enlisted in the Confederate army, joining Company A, Third Regiment of Missouri Cavalry. During the battle of Pea Ridge on March 7, 1862, he was severely wounded by the bursting of a shell. It was necessary on account of the wound to amputate his left leg near the hip. After the war he clerked in a store at Ebenezer, Mo., until 1871, when he removed to Cassville. Soon after he became deputy clerk of Barry county and in 1874 was elected clerk. He has served his constituents so faithfully and well that he has been re-elected at each succeeding election, being the present encumbent. He is a man of the people, universally respected by all parties, and is an adherent to Democratic principles. He is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is a member of I.O.O.F., and A. F. & A. M. His wife died in 1879. (Excerpted by Giles County, TNGenWeb Researcher Abbie Thompson from The History Of Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties, Missouri, Barry County, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, 1888)
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