Wiliam N. Cathey, father of him to whom this review is dedicated, was born on the old homestead plantation, in what is now Marshall County, Tennessee, in the year 1812, and there he was reared to maturity, the while he received such educational advantages as were afforded in the schools of the locality and period. He finally removed to Williamson County, where he became well known as a blacksmith of that section of the state and where he wielded much and benignaht influence in connection with civic affairs, as he was a man of strong individuality, sterling character and high ideals, - one well equipped for leadership in thought and action. he passed the closing years of his life at his son's home in Obion County, and attained to the partriarchal age of ninety-three years, his death having occurred i905. His mind was a veritable storehouse of information concerning the pioneer days and his reminiscences were graphic and interesting, as his memory remained most alert even in the gentle twilight of his exceptionally long and useful career. As a young man, he wedded Miss Margaret Calhoun, and this gentle and gracious woman proved to be a devoted wife and mother. She was summoned to eternal rest at 1862, at the age of about fifty years. Both were devout members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and the father was a veritable stalwart in the ranks of the Democratic party, as well as a staunch supporter of the Confederate cause during the climacteric period of the Civil War. William N. and Margaret (Calhoun) Cathey became the parents of six children, namely: Charles H., John W., Thaddeus, Mary C., George D. and William J. Of the number only two are low living -Charles H. and William J., the latter being a resident of Fulton, Kentucky.
