My Genealogy Hound

RUFUS E. WADE was born in 1847, in Henry County, Tenn. His parents, who are still living and highly respected citizens of Marshall County, Ky., are Robert A. Wade and Mary Wade, nee Hardy; the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky. They settled in the county, in which they now live, in 1854, and reared two children: Rufus E. and Mary, the wife of S. A. Wade, of Marshall County. Rufus E., in his boyhood, worked upon his father’s farm, and meantime attended the schools of the country, completing his studies in the high school of Murray, Calloway Co., Ky. His first occupation was that of a school-teacher, first in Marshall and Livingston Counties, and later in Texas. Returning from Texas, he went to Paris, Tenn., and learned the art of photographing, which occupied his attention from 1870 to 1876, principally in Paducah. In 1877 he embarked in his present business, that of tobacco rehandler. Mr. Wade is a man of pleasing address, and of fine business qualifications; as a tobacco trader he does a very extensive business. As an artist he was attended with marked success, which is so rarely attained by men of that profession; while as a teacher he proved himself particularly efficient. He is an ardent advocate of popular education, and for seven years has been a member of the Paducah board of education, and is now president of that body. In 1871 Mr. Wade contracted a marriage with Miss Mary Johnson, daughter of Col. Alfred Johnson, who was lieutenant-colonel of the Third Kentucky Regiment, Confederate Army. Mr. Wade is a member of the Masonic order and of the Baptist Church. His children are Mary Lela and Frederick Wade.