My Genealogy Hound

Col. Thomas Boyers, editor and publisher of The Examiner at Gallatin, was born in that city in 1826, and is the fourth of a family of twelve children born to Robert M. and Elizabeth (Banks) Boyers. The father was born in South Carolina in 1786, was of Irish extraction and a merchant by trade. In 1810 he came to Gallatin, Tenn., and traveled the distance on foot. He married in that city and afterward commenced merchandising which he continued for many years. His partner was Daniel Saffarrans. They were quite successful and invested their surplus capital in lands in Northern Mississippi, and at one time owned enough to make a strip one mile wide and 200 miles long. For some years Robert was in the commission business in New Orleans. He was one of the old citizens of Gallatin and died in 1870. His wife was born in Murfreesboro, N. C., and was of Swedish extraction. Our subject was educated in Nashville University and at an early age evinced a strong desire for journalism, and in 1847 became editor of The Tenth Legion in Gallatin, succeeding Gov. William B. Bate. In 1848 Col. Boyers and William M. Hutton founded The American in Nashville. In 1850 Mr. Hutton went to Memphis and became partner on the Memphis Appeal, and was succeeded on The American by Mr. Eastman, one of the ablest newspaper men in the State. In October, 1852, our subject married Mrs. Annie Brown nee O’Mahoney, a native of Ireland, born in 1826. They have three children living: Robert, Thomas and Annie (wife of Charles E. Baker). Robert is partner with his father in the Examiner, and Thomas is telegraph editor of the Chattanooga Times. In 1855 our subject retired from the American and returned to Gallatin where he established The Examiner and has since been its editor and publisher, with the exception of a few years during the “late unpleasantness.” He took an active part in the war. In May, 1861, he was commissioned paymaster on ex-Gov. Isham G. Harris’ staff, ranking as lieutenant-colonel. He filled the position during the war and also filled the same position on several minor staffs of volunteer service. He was with Morgan in Tennessee, and was at the battle of Murfreesboro; after said battle he was placed in command at Saltville, Va., and remained until the winter of 1865. At the close of the war he returned home, resumed his editorial work and has faithfully discharged his duty from that day until the present. Col. Boyers is a Royal Arch Mason, ancient member of the I. O. O. F. and Grand High Priest of the State at one time. In 1848 he was one of the charter members of Tennessee Historical Society. He is the oldest native born citizen living in Gallatin. Mrs. Boyers is a worthy and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.