My Genealogy Hound

Capt. William Neilson Chunn was born January 19, 1835, in Warm Springs, Buncombe Co., N. C., which was his maternal grandparents’ old home. He was the youngest of five children born to Joseph and Catherine (Neilson) Chunn, born in North Carolina and of Scotch descent. Joseph Chunn was an extensive farmer and stock grower and was also a prosperous merchant. He died in 1847 or 1848. His wife was the daughter of William Neilson, one of the wealthy planters of North Carolina. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was given a land grant of 50,000 acres by the Government. Mrs. Chunn was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died at the age of fifty-two years. Our subject was brought to West Tennessee in his boyhood days and was reared on a farm. He was attending college when his elder brother died and he immediately returned and began overseeing the estate. In 1861 he joined the Confederate Army and was appointed second lieutenant of artillery and assigned duty with Capt. Andrew Jackson’s company, at the Hermitage. He was made adjutant when the army was reorganized. He took an active part in many important engagements. He was captured at Vicksburg; but after being in captivity eight months, was released. At a later period he began serving under Gen. Forest, as first lieutenant of artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was a faithful and true soldier, and was ever at his post of duty. After his return he resumed farming, but a year later began merchandising at Humboldt, where he continued until 1884. He farmed on a small scale in later years, but is now living a retired life upon the fruits of a well spent life. He is a Democrat, and August 6, 1873, was married to Annie E. Transon, of Humboldt, born November 3, 1850, in Madison County. To them was born one son—Guy, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Chunn are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is a member of the K. of H.