My Genealogy Hound

Thomas R. Early was born in Whitley County, Ky., June 29, 1848, and is a son of Dr. James H. and Fannie F. (Hammond) Early. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and his grandfather in the War of 1812. The father and mother were born in Whitley County in 1808 and 1809, respectively. Dr. Early represented his county in the State Legislature in 1844, and for forty years practiced his profession in his native county. In politics he was a Whig, and both himself and wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Having lost his wife in 1859 he was wedded to Rebecca Sammons, nee Cummings, who had four daughters by her first husband. Mr. Early had six sons and two daughters by his first marriage, and three sons by second. Thomas R. was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools and Williamsburg Academy. At eighteen he began to teach in connection with farming, and has followed that profession since. January 12, 1871, he married Tempy Sammons, daughter of his step-mother. She was born November 21, 1851, in Whitley County, Ky., and is the mother of ten children: Randolph, James H., George W., William H., Willis, Samuel F., John F., Jacob, Fannie F. and Thomas S. Mrs. Early is a Methodist and her husband is a Missionary Baptist. After living in Kentucky until 1880 they moved to Lamar County, Texas, and three years later came to this county. In 1863 Mr. Early enlisted in Company F, Thirty-Second Kentucky Infantry, United States army, serving three months. On the day of his discharge he enlisted in Company G, Forty-ninth Kentucky Infantry, and served until December, 1864. Three brothers also served in the Union army. He is a Republican, served as justice of the peace in Kentucky, and holds the same office here. In 1888 he was the Republican nominee for representative, and ran ahead of his ticket, but was beaten sixty-nine votes. He owns 200 acres of land, 100 being cultivated, and has made his property by personal effort.