W. M. Anderson, an enterprising farmer of the Fifth District, was born in White County, November 4, 1824, the second son of Zachariah and Rebecca (England) Anderson. The father was born in 1790 in Kentucky. He was a Baptist minister and Whig, a farmer and stock raiser. He died January 15, 1867. The mother was born in 1792 in Knox County, Tenn., and died August 5, 1871. They were married in 1816. The subject of our sketch was raised on a farm, and received his education in the schools of the vicinity. From 1843 to 1847, ho was keeper of a toll gate at Crab Orchard, Tenn. In 1848 he was elected tax collector of White County. He then began farming and stock raising. In 1852 he was elected magistrate to fill the unexpired term of David Beam, and in 1854
was re-elected and served six years. He has been very successful in life and accumulated some fine property. He is a useful and respected citizen, and a generous contributor to all worthy enterprises. He is a stanch Democrat. February 20, 1849, he married Nancy A., daughter of Harmon and Mary Little. This union resulted in the birth of Rebecca, born January 20, 1851; William and Alice, who are twins, born May 2, 1868. All are living, and have received excellent educational advantages.
Pleasant Austin, a prosperous agriculturist of the Second District, was born September 8, 1820, on the farm upon which he new resides. His parents were John and Catherine (Haston) Austin. The father was born January 6, 1779, in Virginia, of English origin. He immigrated to Tennessee at a very early day, where he died February 28, 1858. The mother is thought to have been of Dutch descent. She was a native of Tennessee and her entire life was passed in the State. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and educated in the school of the vicinity. After attaining his majority he purchased land in the county and farmed about six years. At his father's death he bought the homestead and moved to it, where he has since resided. He is a substantial, honorable and worthy citizen. He is interested in the advancement of education and all beneficial enterprises. He is a Democrat. September 14, 1852, he was united in marriage to Mary E., daughter of Bluford and Sarah (Yates) Warren. The father was raised in Halifax, N. C., and the mother in Halifax, Va. The grandfather Yates lived to the unusual age of one hundred and twelve years. Mrs. Austin was born October 15, 1825, in Tennessee, and is the mother of John W., William Bluford, Robert S., Sarah Alice (wife of Norman Gist, who resides near Sparta), Flora C. (wife of Lewis Akins), James Mc. and Frank P.
J. R. Bosson, a well known and enterprising farmer of Walling Station, was born in White County, April 17, 1846, of French-Swede and Scotch descent. He is a son of Charles T. and Sarah Bell (Reed) Bosson. The father was born April 17, 1796, in Rocksboro, Mass., and immigrated to Tennessee about 1842. After remaining at Rock Island a short time he moved to the falls of Caney Fork, where he lived until the late war. He there located at Murfreesboro, where he died about 1865. The mother was a native of Lexington, Ky., and died April 17, 1846. Our subject was raised on a farm, and owing to delicate health, received but a limited education. At the age of seventeen he engaged as a salesman in the merchandise business at Murfreesboro, so continuing until the close of the war. He then began farming in this county to which occupation he has since given his attention, and in which he has been very prosperous. He is a valuable and respected citizen, interested in the advancement of educational, and all enterprises of a beneficial nature. He is a Republican. In October 8, 1868, he married Miss Amanda, daughter of Carter and Caroline (Sparkman) Dillon. The fruits of this union are Charles T., Edward E., Sarah B., Carter D., Caroline B., Sue M., James B. and Francis M.
Chas. V. Bronson, of Anderson & Bronson, livery stable, was born in Sparta October 13, 1858, the son of Robt. L. and Mary A. (Rodgers) Bronson (the widow Mrs. Lane), both of whom are of English origin. The father was born in Ohio, February 24, 1836,
and the mother January 11, in White County, both now residents of Sparta. The father, a carriage-maker most of his life, has at times been a successful farmer. The parents of three children, and are members of the Christian Church. Atter completing a good education at Sparta he for eighteen months read law under C. Marchbanks. He then abandoned the law and after a year in photography and one as deputy county clerk of Henry County under Joe Doyle, he returned to Sparta in 1882, and at the beginning of the next year entered his present partnership. He is unmarried. He is a liberal man and a decided Democrat.
J. F. Bruster, a well known farmer of the Fifth District, was born November 26, 1845, in White County. He is the youngest child of William and Kittie (Finley) Bruster. The father was born in 1796 in Virginia, and married in 1820. He immigrated to Tenn
essee in 1825, arriving here without funds. He made shoes at night while learning the tanners' trade. For twenty-five years he was a tanner at Sparta, where, in 1841, he purchased a farm and engaged in farming and stock raising, making a specialty of blooded stock, amassing considerable wealth. He was a Whig. His death occurred in 1852. The mother was born in 1803 in Kentucky, and died in 1884, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject was educated in Alabama and Tennessee.
In 1866 he began farming and stock raising. In 1876 he entered into the mercantile business, and sold out five years later to W. J. Winstead. He married, in 1866, Amanda, daughter of Daniel and Rachel Sinvil of this county. Eight children were born to this union, seven of whom are living. Mr. Bruster is a stanch Democrat. He and his wife are earnest and esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
William S. Burgess, a prominent citizen and a well known, enterprising planter of White County and resident of the Twelfth Civil District, was born in Putnam County August 24, 1830. He is the son of Charles and Margaret (McBride) Burgess. His father w
as of Irish descent, a native of North Carolina, born in that State in 1806, and died in Putman County December 6, 1886. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and made life a fair success. He was a member of the Christian Church and died in that faith.
Mr. Burgess' mother's ancestors came from Scotland. She was a native of White County, born in 1808. She is still living, a resident of Putnam County. Mr. Burgess is the second of thirteen children. He secured a common-school education, which has been supplemented by extensive reading. At the age of twenty-one he went West with the intention of going to California, but when he reached Missouri unfavorable news of the Pacific Coast caused him to stop in that State. He was one of the first settlers of Kansas. For three years he gave his attention to farming in Kansas and Missouri. In 1854 he returned to his father's home and purchased a farm in White County, where he lived five or six years. In the fall of 1862 he entered the Confederate States Army, and joined the Eighth Regiment of Cavalry, commanded by Gen. Dibrell. He served with credit the remainder of the war with this general, and took part in many of the battles and skirmishes fought. December, 1864 he was captured while on a scouting expedition, and kept prisoner of war until the battle of Nashville. In the spring of 1865, after an absence of three years, he returned home and resumed farming. Mr. Burgess has been an active business man. He began with nothing but an honest heart and a strong will, and now owns 1,200 acres of land in White County, also a half interest in a large water mill on Falling Water Creek, near the Putnam County line. The falls on the streams are remarkable beyond description. There are four falls, Mr. Burgess and his younger brother, Winfield, owning the first three. On March 18, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Ricy O. Barnes, a most excellent lady, who was born June 14, 1834, and reared in White County. To this union have been born three children--one son and two daughters. Athough not a member of the church, Mr. Burgess and wife are in sympathy with the Baptist Church.
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