My Genealogy Hound

William Ketchum, farmer and merchant of Oakland, Tenn., was born in Fayette County July 18, 1849, and was the son of Levi and Georgie (Walker) Ketchum. The father was born in Kentucky in 1801, and died in Memphis while under treatment for gout, his home being five miles west of Somerville. He was a most successful farmer. Before the war he was a Whig; he opposed the war but was in sympathy with the South, and he was a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The mother was born in Fayette County in 1820, and is still living. Our subject is the second of five children, he received a good education and commenced farming at an early age. In 1880 he went into the mercantile business at Somerville, in partnership with a younger brother, and two years later located at Oakland and continued the business in connection with farming. He was united in marriage with Miss Ella Cartwright, born in Fayette County, February 16, 1853, and they have had three sons and a daughter; the latter died April 7, 1873. The others were born as follows: Lucile W., October 25, 1872; Morgan C., February 2, 1874; Adrian W., December 3, 1877, and Leon N., April 22, 1883. Mr. Ketchum is a Democrat and manifests a deep interest in the success of his party. Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum are both prominent members of the Methodist Church, and of the social circle of Oakland.