My Genealogy Hound

Robert L. Scruggs, a respected farmer of the Twenty-second District, was born in the Tenth District of Smith County in 1835. He was one of four children born to James A. and Leona (Dillard) Scruggs. The father was of Irish descent, born in Virginia in 1809. He came with his parents, when but a small child, to Tennessee. They located in Caney Fork, in the present Tenth District, where James was raised and educated. He was a farmer and mechanic; remained in the vicinity all his life. He married a native of Smith County (mother of subject) who was born in 1812 and died in 1838, leaving two children. The father then married Louisa Mitchum, by whom he had ten children, three of whom are dead. Mr. Scruggs died in 1882. The step-mother lives with her son, Rufus Lee. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native county. When he attained his majority he left home, rented some land and entered upon his career as a farmer. At the outbreak of the late war he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company C, Smith’s Fourth Tennessee Cavalry at Carthage. He participated in the battles of Fishing Creek, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and many minor engagements. He was captured on Salt River, Kentucky, in 1862, and held prisoner about thirty days, when he was exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. He was wounded in the right arm and left hand at Murfreesboro, May, 1864, at New Hope, Ga., while Johnston was falling back to Atlanta, he received a shot in the left arm, which resulted in that member becoming two inches shorter. He was so severely disabled that he was unfit for further duties. He remained in the hospital until the close of the war. After his return home he again resumed his agricultural employments. In 1872 he bought 220 acres in the Twenty-second District, on Caney Fork. In 1874 he wedded Delia A., daughter of William C. and Nancy (Williamson) Avant, in De Kalb County, Tenn. Their family consists of six children: Hattie, Orleana, William, Fanny, Pearl and John Fite. Mr. Scruggs started life with nothing, although he received $1,000 in Confederate money from his grandfather, at the beginning of the war. He has, by continued labor and enterprise, met with considerable success. He owns 250 acres in a good state of cultivation and well improved, also, in partnership with G. W. Cardwell, owns five miles of Lebanon Turnpike, and Trousdale Ferry. He is a stanch Democrat, first presidential vote being cast for James Buchanan in 1856. He is a member of Masonic order, Snow Creek Lodge, No. 346. Mr. and Mrs. Scruggs are earnest and respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.