My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT T. TOMPKINS, a well-known citizen of Murfreesboro, Tenn., a native of Rutherford County, was born January 3, 1835, being a son of James M. and Kitty G. (Ruckel) Tompkins, both natives of Fluvanna County, Va. The father was born in 1807, came to this county in 1831 with his wife and located on a farm in the Seventh District, when he followed farming very successfully until 1855, when he removed to this city and engaged in the mercantile business until the war. He was an old-time Whig in politics and was magistrate of this district a number of years, and served also as county surveyor. Before the war he served three terms of two years each, and in 1855-56 represented this county in the State Legislature. After the war he was appointed clerk and master of chancery court, which office he filled in a highly efficient and satisfactory manner until his death, June 3, 1870. Robert T. was reared with his father on a farm until after he attained his majority. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, and served in the Southern Army one year. He was promoted to sergeant and then to first lieutenant of his company, when he was honorably discharged on account of ill health. Before the war he was in the mercantile business, and in 1860 was appointed deputy sheriff, which position he filled until he enlisted in the service. In July, 1865, he was appointed deputy clerk and master of chancery court under his father, and served in this capacity, having almost the entire work and responsibility resting upon him until his father’s death, when he was appointed to his father’s position, which he held one year during the change of the constitution. Since that time he has acted as deputy in the office, and has also been engaged in the mercantile and general trading business. He was a member of the board of aldermen and treasurer of the city during 1871-72, and has been a member of the city school board twelve years, being clerk, and treasurer of the same. June, 1869, he was married to Mary J. Clark, of this city They have one daughter, named Mary J. In politics Mr. Tompkins is a conservative Democrat, and has taken an active part in the political affairs of the county as his numerous terms of office testify. He is a Mason of Knight Templar and Scottish Rite degrees, and he and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.