My Genealogy Hound

W. J. Burchard, a prosperous merchant of Martin, Tenn., was born in 1843, the eldest of four children of A. C. and Sarah Burchard. The father was born in North Carolina in 1819, and in his days of childhood was brought to Hickman County, Tenn. He was a farmer and stock dealer, and was married in 1842. He is now connected with the First National Bank, at Centreville. His wife was born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1817, and her demise occurred in 1877. Our subject joined the army May 10, 1861, enlisting in Company H, Eleventh Tennessee Infantry. In December, 1861, he was appointed by Col. James E. Raines as provost-marshal and served in that capacity six months. At the end of the year he re-enlisted and was then made orderly sergeant of the company. He participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. After this he joined Forrest’s cavalry, and was with him in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, besides many other engagements. He returned home in the spring of 1865. The next year he entered Cumberland University and completed his education at that place in 1867. Maggie Montgomery became his wife in 1871. Her father, John Montgomery, was a lawyer of considerable distinction at Centreville, Tenn. He died in 1878. His wife, Jane Montgomery, is residing with her daughter, Mrs. Burchard. Mr. and Mrs. Burchard are the parents of five children: Farrar, A. C., Field M., Charley and Sally. Soon after his marriage Mr. Burchard purchased 100 acres of timber land, which he cleared and improved, and on which he lived until 1882. He then moved to Martin and entered into partnership with W. B. Blakemore. They built a large livery barn and continued in the business two years, when our subject sold his interest and engaged in the dry goods and grocery business with J. B. Ragsdale. The firm is known as Ragsdale & Burchard and their stock amounts to $7,000. Their sales amount to about $25,000 per year. In August, 1882, he was elected magistrate, a position he held two years. He is a Democrat and his first presidential vote was cast for Horace Greeley. He and Mrs. Burchard are members of the Christian Church.