My Genealogy Hound

William G. Key, M. D., a farmer and prominent citizen of the Eleventh District, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1834. He is the son of James and Lucinda (Thurman) Key, and the second of eight children, only two of whom are now living. His father was of Scotch-English descent, and born in Sumner County about 1810. He was a son of William Key, a native of North Carolina and an early settler of Sumner County, James was a successful farmer and useful citizen, and died in 1863. The mother was also a native of Sumner County, dying at about the age of fifty-four years, in about 1878. Dr. Key was principally educated at Rural Academy. In 1854 he began the study of medicine with Dr. James M. Head. In 1855 he entered the medical department of Nashville University and took one course of lectures. In 1856 he came to Macon County, locating on Long Creek, three miles north of where he now resides, and began the practice of his chosen profession. In 1857 he moved to his present home, and has since practiced here with much success, being one of the most successful physicians of Macon County. He is the owner of 247 acres of land under a good state of improvement, besides 50 acres in another tract, all of which he has accumulated by his own management. He served his friends and neighbors six years as magistrate, to the satisfaction of all. In October, 1856, he married Miss Mahala M., daughter of Henderson and Mary Holland, of Simpson County, Ky. By this union four children were born, three now living, as follows: Martha D., wife of John H. Rickman; James H. and Talmage. Dr. Key is a Democrat, casting his first presidential Vote for James Buchanan in 1856. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, while he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for twenty-nine years. Mrs. Key was born in Macon County in 1836.