My Genealogy Hound

Rev. Obediah F. Bolding, a well-known resident of this section of the country, was born in McMinn County, Tenn., February 9, 1827, being the third of seven children born to John and Nancy (Shaffer) Bolding, who were residents of Union County, Ark., from 1852 until their deaths. The father was a noted divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and for forty years followed the calling of a minister. At the age of twenty-two years Obediah F. Bolding began the battle of life for himself, and shortly afterward was married to Miss Emeline L. Palmer, a sister of Maj. Palmer, who is at present State superintendent of public instruction of Alabama, in which capacity he has served for six years. Mrs. Bolding is a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Palmer, who were residents of Alabama the greater portion of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Bolding, a family of nine children have been born, four of whom are living: John P. (a farmer), Thomas E. (at present in college preparing for the ministry), Perry M. (a farmer), and Amelia C. (is the wife of Charles Adams, who is a resident of Union County, Ark.), coming from Georgia in 1888, and is much pleased with his move. The principal occupation to which Mr. Bolding has devoted his attention, has been farming, and his present estate comprises 280 acres of fine and valuable land, eighty being under cultivation. In addition to this he has been engaged in teaching school, a calling for which he seemed to have a natural aptitude, and in which he was very successful. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. since 1854, and has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, having been ordained a minister of the same in 1867. He has always been strictly honorable, kindly in disposition and charitable to all, and by both precept and example, has taught the divine truths of Christianity.