My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH A. McRADY, a native of Maury County, was born January 18, 1827, and is a son of Ephraim McRady. The father was born in Kentucky in 1800, and as his parents died while he was yet quite young, he was reared by an uncle. After reaching man’s estate he wedded Sarah Wingfield, a native of Maury County, Tenn., born in 1806, and by this union became the father of two children: Joseph A., our subject, and Susan. Both parents were leading members of the Presbyterian Church. The father was a house carpenter by trade, but spent the latter part of his life in farming. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. In 1838 the mother died, and the father then married Margaret White, who was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. The father died in 1871. Our subject, during his youth, had the best of opportunities for an education. After finishing the common school course he entered Jackson College, Maury County, and graduated from that institution in 1846. After teaching a year he began to read law under Judge Dillahunty, and, in 1849, opened an office in partnership with Robert Payne, at Lewisburg. Here he continued five years. In 1852 he married Margaret E. Ewing, who was born February 14, 1833. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living. The second son, Flarins S., is a rising young physician of Petersburg, Giles County. Our subject and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. In 1861 he volunteered in Capt. Holden’s company of the Fifty-third Tennessee Infantry, Confederate Army, he was soon appointed to the commissary department, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was captured at Fort Donelson and soon removed to Johnson’s Island. Being sick when the roll for exchange of prisoners was called, a bushwhacker answered to Mr. McRadys name, and thus escaped. Our subject remained in prison twelve months. Since the war he has followed agricultural pursuits. He has a large farm of 430 acres, and has had reasonable success.