Thomas J. Saunders, a Biographical Sketch

Source: Georgia and Florida Biographies [database on-line].
Original Data from Biographical Souvenir of the States of Georgia and Florida, Containing Biographical Sketches of the Representative Public, and many Early Settled Families in These States. F. A. Battey & Company, 1889.
Transcribed by S. Lincecum about 2005.

Thomas J. Saunders was born in Houston County, Ga, December 15, 1837. His parents were Warren E. and Sarah R. (Harvin) Saunders, natives of South Carolina. The father was born January 6, 1796, and died April 13, 1873; the mother died June 13, 1874, aged sixty-six. Both parents were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Warren E. Saunders was married twice and had two children born to him by his first marriage. His second marriage was as above and the fruit of said marriage was thirteen children, namely: Laura, John (deceased), Sarah (deceased), Amanda (deceased), Elizabeth, Thomas J., Benjamin R., Wm. W., Martha (deceased), Mary, Francis M. (deceased), Richard H. (deceased), and Horace B.

Thomas J. Saunders began for himself by farming, which he continued until 1873. He had a stroke pf paralysis in 1857, and for eight years was partly disabled. That stroke partly exempted him from army service, but he served, however, eight months at one time, three at another, and four and three at other times. He began work on the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad in January, 1873, and has been in the employ of the road ever since, and has made quite a success of his business.

He was married December 27, 1860, to Josephine, daughter of Isaac C. and Ann (Whitehurst) West, and the children born to this union are five in number.

Mr. Saunders is a member of the K. of H. and the Baptist Church. Our subject's father was the only son of the family that lived to manhood, and of the fourteen children in all, two daughers only survive, namely: Rebecca, living in Pike County, Ala, the wife of Smith Owens; Emma, the youngest daughter, living in Stewart County, the wife of John Cain.

Mr. Saunders is an old citizen of McVille, extensively known and well respected as an honest, hard worker.