My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH P. HALE, trustee of Rutherford County, Tenn., was born in Franklin County of the same State, December 14, 1828, son of Ellis H. and Mary E. (Miller) Hale. The father was born in North Carolina in 1801, and came to Tennessee in 1826 or 1827. He was married December 20, 1827, and about 1830 came to this county and followed farming with fair success until his death October 21, 1877. His wife died March 25, 1885. Our subject resided on the farm with his parents. His early education was limited but in later years he prepared himself for teaching, which profession he followed for a number of years. He is a natural mechanic, so abandoned school teaching and began following the carpenter’s trade. In August, 1882, he was elected county trustee and served one term of two years in so faithful and efficient a manner that he was re-elected to the office in 1884, and is now discharging the duties of that office. December 14, 1853, he wedded Elizabeth C. Vaughn. They have these children: Thomas J., William S., Edgar P., Laura P. (Barber), Charles V. Branch P., James D., and Rufus O. Mr. Hale is a Democrat and was a warm advocate for the Confederate cause during the late war. In November, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Forty-fifth Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and served until he was wounded at Shiloh, when he was raised to the rank of first lieutenant. He was discharged in 1862 but re-enlisted and served until December 7, 1864, at which time he was severely wounded in an engagement in front of Murfreesboro, having his right arm broken and his left hand badly mangled. Mr. Hale is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and is an able official and excellent citizen.