My Genealogy Hound

N. W. Baptist, a prominent citizen and attorney of Covington, Tenn., was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., October 10, 1840, and is one of a family of two children, himself and sister, now Mrs. Mary W. Wimbish, their parents being R. B. and Mary L. (Wilson) Baptist, both natives of Virginia. The father was born in 1810, was a lawyer by profession and served as clerk of the court, also as attorney-general one term. He died in 1808. The mother was born in 1820, and is now residing with her daughter at Covington. In early boyhood our subject attended the district schools of his native county, and at the age of fifteen enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth Virginia Regiment (infantry), as private, but was afterward promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, he participated in many battles and skirmishes, and April, 1865, was captured, taken to Point Lookout, Md., where he remained until August 24, 1865. After returning home he attended college for ten months, and read law under his father for about two years. In 1869 he came to Tipton County, locating at Mason, and kept books for two years. He was then elected magistrate, was chairman of the county court and financial agent of the county, serving two years. He was then elected clerk of the county court, which position he held until September, 1880. For four years he has been practicing law with J. C. Boals, and is one of the leading attorneys of the place. In 1871 he wedded Belle Boyd, a native of Virginia and the daughter of Frank W. and Isabella Boyd. To Mr. and Mrs. Baptist were born five children. Frank B., Richard B., Belle T., Mary L. and Lucy R. Mr. Baptist is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity and a member of the Presbyterian Church.