My Genealogy Hound

William W. Rutledge, attorney at law, and a native of Haywood County, was born June 7, 1839, son of Joseph M. and Mary E. (Watkins) Rutledge, both natives of Middle Tennessee. The father came to this county about 1834-35, locating first at Wesley where he engaged in merchandising. About 1840 he came to Brownsville and here followed mercantile pursuits. He was elected clerk of the circuit court and held this office continuously up to the time of the war and two terms after that event. He was originally an old line Whig and was a Union man during the war, but was not a participant in that unpleasantness. He died here in 1879. Our subject grew to manhood in this city (Brownsville) clerking for his father in his youthful days in the circuit clerk’s office and secured an academical education; also obtained some knowledge of the classics by attendance at Spring Creek College, situated in Madison County, Tenn. In 1858 he began the study of law under Judge Thomas G. Smith of this place. Two years later he was admitted to the bar. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixth Regiment of Tennessee Infantry and was elected lieutenant of his company in 1862. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the knee and did not again re-enter service. After the war he resumed the practice of law here. In 1881 he formed a partnership with John R. Bond the present attorney-general of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit which has continued to the present. In 1874 he married Claude Nolen of this county, and the fruits of this union are two children: Mary C. and Lillian. Mr. Rutledge is a Democrat in politics and in 1873 was elected to the State Legislature. He is an Ancient Mason and himself and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.