My Genealogy Hound

BURR F. PATY, the leading and senior member of the firm B. F. Paty A Co., is a native of Smith County, Tenn., born August 28, 1839. His early life was spent upon the farm in that county with his parents, John W. and Frances (Parker) Paty who were both natives of Middle Tennessee. At about the age of fourteen years our subject left home and began life for himself as a clerk in a mercantile business at Alexandria, and later in Lebanon, Tenn. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted from the latter place in 1861 as private in Company A, of Gen. Hadden’s regiment, and seven months later was transferred to the commissary department and promoted to the rank of captain, but never received his commission, as he was honorably discharged at the time on account of ill health, caused by exposure during his service. After the war Mr. Paty engaged in a mercantile business for himself at Viola, Warren Co., Tenn., where he continued successfully until his removal to this city in 1878. In 1879, he engaged in his present business as above stated, and it may be truthfully said that he has contributed largely to the success of this enterprising firm, by his energy, industry and practical business tact and experience. In 1872 Mr. Paty married Miss Flora Lillard, of this city, who died five years later. In 1879, he married Mary Lillard, his present wife. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter named Mattie G. Mr. Paty is a Democrat in politics, although he was formerly an old-line Whig, having cast his first vote for John Bell. He has never aspired to any official position, having been too wholly engrossed with his business matters to give any time to such matters even were he so inclined. He has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is popularly conceded to be one of Rutherford County’s most energetic and successful business men, and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens for his many excellent qualities as a consistent Christian gentleman.

B. F. PATY & CO., of Murfreesboro, Tenn., dealers in dry goods and general merchandise. The firm is composed of the following named persons: Burr F. Paty, M. F. Leatherman and E. C. Cannon. This business was established in 1879 by Messrs. Paty & Leatherman, who conducted it in a successful manner up to August, 1884, when Mr. Cannon, who had been their book-keeper up to this time, was admitted as a partner. These gentlemen carry a large and well selected general stock, consisting of dry goods, gents’ clothing and furnishing, hats, boots and shoes, making a specialty of the latter, and control probably the leading trade in this combined line in the city and county.