My Genealogy Hound

M. W. WOODARD, attorney at law, of Fayetteville, Tenn., was born in Lincoln County, in 1846, the third son of Robert S. and Mary (McKinney) Woodard, born in Tennessee and North Carolina, in 1821 and 1825, respectively. The father was a teacher and farmer in early life, and was married in 1842. In 1847 he was elected tax-collector of Lincoln County, serving one term. In 1856 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and held the position until the late war. In 1864 he was re-elected and held the office until 1868. Soon after the organization of the Lincoln County Savings Bank he was chosen assistant cashier, but at the organization of the First National Bank he was chosen its cashier, which position he held until his death in 1877. During the many years he was in public life he was the administrator of many large estates. His father, Reuben Woodard, was born in 1792, in North Carolina, and was a pioneer settler of Tennessee. He was a brick-mason, and lived to be eighty-six years of age. Our subject’s mother, since her husband’s death, has resided on the old homestead with two of her children. Their family consisted of eleven children: James L., Galen D., M. W., Annie B. (Mrs. Thomas Dryden), Mary E. (Mrs. Dr. O. R. Hatcher), A. B., Robert P., J. Reuben, W. K., Addie (Mrs. Eugene Higgins) and one deceased sister (Mrs. Sallie Francis). Our subject was educated in Milton College, Fayetteville, and in 1868 began studying law, and in 1871 was admitted to the bar and began immediately to practice. In 1873 he was appointed judge of the county court, and filled the position for eighteen months. In 1883 he and Hon. R. L. Bright formed a law partnership, and the firm is known as Bright & Woodard. They constitute one of the leading law firms of Lincoln County, and our subject is one of the leading and useful members of society. October 25, 1871, he married Ida L. Hatcher, who was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1854. The following are the names of their children: Irene, Octa L., Bessie, Robert S., Bernard H., Fannie, John and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Democrat and belongs to the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F.