WILLIAM STOUT
Among the many well known men who came to Decatur County at an early day and have since united their interests with those of Decatur County is the subject of this sketch. He is a retired merchant of Decaturville and is also one among the few of Scotland's sons who have settled in this county. His birth occurred in Forfar County, Scotland, January 6, 1825, and he came of an old and honored family, whose history can be traced back to the early ages of the British Isles.. His father, David Stout, was a man of superior education and of much influence. He was possessed of consider. able means and gave to each of his three children excellent educational advantages. William, subject of this sketch, was brought up as a merchant, came to America when twenty-two years of age on a tour of pleasure and travel but accidentally meeting a Mr. Pettigrew he was induced to come west and locate at Perryville, where he afterward became the partner of Mr. Pettigrew. They continued a successful and prosperous business for several years. In 1878 he sold his goods at Perryville and moved to Decaturville, where he has since resided. In 1850 he married Miss Jane Coats who died in 1876 leaving a family of seven children. He was again married in 1878 to Miss Rosetta V. Rains, daughter of Balaam Rains, an old and honored citizen of Decatur County. Mr. Stout is a Democrat and a man of culture and learning He spends a considerable portion of his time in reading, and his library is filled with a judicious selection of choice books. He is progressive and enterprising and has given his children superior educational advantages. William T., the eldest son, is a merchant at Decaturville; Mary is Mrs. J. A. England, of Decaturville; .John is a druggist and the postmaster at Decaturville; Laura J. is Mrs. L. T. Smith, of Sweetwater, Tex.; Thomas is a merchant at Perryville; Kathleen is Mrs. W. F. Young, and George, the youngest, is attending school.
From Goodspeeds History of Tennessee
|
"Tennessee Trails"
