My Genealogy Hound

R. Q. WORD, a trader and farmer, was born in Wilson County June 6, 1840, and is one of seven children of John and Elizabeth (Quarles) Word. The father was of Irish extraction, and was born in Virginia about 1798. He is a farmer, and came to Tennessee when but six years of age. He was married three times, and is now living in the Fifth District. The mother was of Irish extraction also, and was born in 1798 and died in 1870. Our subject was reared at home, and received his education in the common schools. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company H, of the Seventh Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was captured at the second battle of Manassas. He remained a prisoner about thirty days, when he was returned to the Confederate States Army authorities. He was in all the principal battles, and at one time was the only man in his company (officer or private) able to report for duty. After the war he was engaged for some time with the Louisville Oil Company, for which he traveled. February 21, 1867, he wedded Pemelia Freeman, a native of Tennessee, who died March 13, 1871. To this union were born two children, Charles and Elizabeth. He contracted a second marriage May 31, 1872, with Rachel Patton, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of James H. and Sallie Patton. In 1871 Mr. Word went to Lawson, Ray Co., Mo., and at different times was in a grocery, furniture and hardware store. In 1873 he returned to Tennessee and became one of the proprietors of the Silver Springs Mills. This occupied his attention for five years, since which time he has followed trading in live-stock. He has lately become a candidate for county trustee, subject to the county election August 5, 1886. He holds to the true principles of Democracy. He is a member of the Masonic lodge No. 98, and of the Royal Arch lodge and the K. of P. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife of the Baptist Church.