My Genealogy Hound

SQUIRE JAMES E. STOCKIRD, a farmer of Rutherford County, Tenn., was born in the county where he now resides, September 9, 1817, son of William and Jane (Elliott) Stockird, who were natives of North Carolina. The father settled in this county in 1809, and was an energetic and successful farmer, and lived a long and useful life. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He served a number of years in the Indian war, and his death occurred in August, 1876. James E. was reared by his grandmother, Deborah Elliott, on a farm, and secured a limited education. At the age of eighteen he served an apprenticeship in mechanics and engaged in making cotton-gins, and followed this business for sixteen years. At the age of thirty-four he purchased the farm of 300 acres where he now resides. On February 17, 1842, he was married to Lucy McGowen, daughter of Rev. E. McGowen, a prominent Methodist Episcopal minister. To Mr. and Mrs. Stockird were born these eight children: Frances J. (Sander), William F.(deceased), Mary C. (Hunt), James E. (deceased), Alice E. (Miles), Nancy F. (deceased), and Thomas A. Mrs. Stockird died April 28, 1866, and in 1869 Mr. Stockird married Mary L. Russwurm, daughter of Gen. John S. Russwurm. They have four children: Samuel R., Rosalind D., John E. and Virginia L. Mr. Stockird did not take an active part in the late war, but sympathized with the Southern cause. He is a Democrat, and has been squire of the Ninth District for twenty years. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.