My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Stephen H. Hale, postmaster of Milan, Tenn., and native of Gibson County, was born on the 17th of March, 1843, son of Eli W. and Martha (Jordan) Hale, who were born in North Carolina. William W. Hale, grandfather of our subject, came to Tennessee early in the present century, locating at Clarksville. Later he removed to Mississippi, where he died. Eli W. Hale took up his abode in Gibson County, in 1840, living on a farm three miles southwest of Milan, where he followed agricultural pursuits and the manufacture of wagons and hand cotton-gins until his death, in 1857. Stephen H. Hale was reared on a farm, and secured a liberal education, being a student in the Union University at Murfreesboro, Tenn., when the war broke out. He immediately enlisted as a non-commissioned officer, in Company I, Twelfth Regiment Tennessee Confederate Infantry, and after the battle of Shiloh was promoted to lieutenant, and after Chickamauga to captain, serving thus until the surrender. Since that time he has farmed, and still manages and owns his farm near Milan. In 1879 he removed to Milan, and was soon elected mayor of the city, serving faithfully five years. He has been a magistrate since 1876, and May 12, 1885, was appointed postmaster of the town. He is a Democrat, and a warm advocate for the principles of his party. August 6, 1865, he married Emma C. Cunningham, of South Carolina, and raised near Milan, Tenn., and six children have blessed their union: Leonadais P., Thomas S., Mattie E., Mary B., Ellen and Eli Kirby. Capt. Hale is a Mason, and a member of the K. of P., K of H. and K. & L. of H. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.