WILLIAM R. BEARDEN, one of Todd County’s leading farmers, tobacco and stock traders, was born January 1, 1833, in Montgomery County, Tenn. He is the second of five children-four boys and one girl -four now living, born to Benjamin B. and Elizabeth (Majors) Bearden, natives of Montgomery County, Tenn., of English descent. The father is the son of William Bearden, born in England; the mother is the daughter of James and Sarah (Weekly) Majors, who was reared in Montgomery County, Tenn. Subject’s early educational advantages were poor; he attended school about two years in all, and has by his own efforts succeeded in getting a fair business education; his grandfather Bearden was a farmer; his grandfather Majors, taught school for a considerable time. Subject was reared on the farm and lived with his parents until he attained his majority, when he engaged in farming for him-self. He was married April 20, 1858, to Miss Susan M. Norman, of Todd County, Ky., a native of Simpson County, Ky., daughter of William H. and Dorothy (Turnel) Norman, natives of Simpson County, of English origin. Subject had born to him, by this union, two children, both dead; one was named Henry. Mrs. Bearden died February, 1861. On February 2, 1865, subject married Dooha A. Patton, of Todd County, daughter of Robert and Emaline (McKinney) Patton, natives of Virginia and Muhlenburg County, Ky., respectively of English and Irish origin; to this union were born two children-Dorothea A. and Emma. In June, 1870, Mr. Bearden was again left a widower. On November 18, 1874, he was married to Sarah Armstrong, of Todd County, daughter of Charles and Eda (Stinnett) Armstrong.
