My Genealogy Hound

G. A. PURSLEY is a son of William B. and Sophia (Rutherford) Pursley, and was born September 13, 1837, in Sumner County, Tenn. The father was of Irish descent, and was born in Tennessee in 1802, and was a tanner and currier by trade, but later devoted, his time to agricultural pursuits. He came to Wilson County in 1839, where he became quite a prosperous farmer, owning 500 acres of land at one time. He died May 16, 1880. He was twice married, his first wife being Harriet Johnston. The mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in 1814 and died in 1885. Our subject came to Wilson County when only two years old. He attended Irving College in Warren County, and the Cumberland University in Lebanon. September 22, 1857, he married Ann Vance, daughter of Ed R. and Mary Vance. Mrs. Pursley was born November 11, 1840, and became the mother of seven children: Hattie (wife of J. R. Gollithan), Minnie (wife of J. M. Hannah), Lizzie A., Alice M., Brice B., Edwin V. and Philip H. Mr. Pursley was first the owner of sixty acres of land, but by industry and economy is now the possessor of 305 acres. He has been a life-long Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. September 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, and after the reorganization of the army was appointed second lieutenant of his company, but returned home in the summer of 1862, owing to ill health. He was arrested and kept a prisoner at Murfreesboro for about three months. He belongs to the Good Templars, and he and wife are church members.