My Genealogy Hound

DR. THOMAS J. ELAM, a prominent physician of Rutherford County, Tenn., born November 25, 1832, and is a son of Edward and Rebecca (Wade) Elam, who were born in Virginia and Maryland, respectively. The father was a Robertson County pioneer and farmer, and died in the fall of 1839. He was a participant of the war of 1812, and was in the battle of New Orleans under Gen. Jackson. Our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received a collegiate education, attending Irving College in Warren County in 1856. He began studying medicine under Drs. J. E. & R. S. Wendel, of Murfreesboro, and attended the medical college of Nashville, and received his diploma in 1858. He has since practiced in Rutherford County, and has met with good success, owning 400 acres of land on the Stone River. February 6, 1861, he married Elizabeth Snell, and to them were born eight children — three of whom are dead. Those living are Samuel B., Franklin, Francis C., Thomas J. and Elizabeth. Mr. Elam was a Whig previous to the war, but since that time has been a Democrat. He was a surgeon in the late war, serving the Forty fifth Tennessee Regiment. In 1864 he was discharged on account of ill-health and returned home. He is a Master Mason, and his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.