My Genealogy Hound

Judge Rufus D. Hearn is the circuit judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and was elected to this position in 1886. He was born in Sumner County, Tenn., March 20, 1842, and is a son of William F. and Ellen (Johnston) Hearn, who were born, reared and spent their lives in Tennessee. To them a family of four children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor. He was educated in the common schools of his native State, and at an early day began the study of law, and in 1873 was admitted to the Arkadelphia bar. He had come to this county in 1859, when in his youth, but after his admission to the bar he taught school for several terms, using the means thus secured to further his legal studies. Upon the bursting of the war cloud, which had been hovering over the country for so long, Mr. Hearn, in 1801, enlisted in the Clark County Light Artillery, and served until the final surrender, being with Jefferson Davis at Washing ton, Ga. He was wounded at Pigeon River, Tenn. by a pistol shot, in Longstreet's campaign against Knoxville. He was taken prisoner, but made his escape at Knoxville, and once before made his escape when taken prisoner at Shelbyville, Tenn. Upon his return home, after the close of the war, he was utterly destitute of means, and immediately began looking about to find something to do, and soon after secured employment. He continued his practice of law at Arkadelphia, and in 1878 was elected prosecuting attorney for the Eighth Judicial District, a position he filled with ability for six years. From 1886 up to the present time he has filled his present position by re-election, and has made one of the most faithful and efficient officers the county has ever had. To his excellent natural abilities have been added the wisdom and experience of a useful and well spent life, and his career may well be emulated by the rising generation. He and wife, whom he married in 1875, and whose maiden name was Bettie E. Hearn, are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Their union has been blessed in the birth of two interesting children: Wilfred and Sallie.