Mcnairy County TN Archives Biographies.....ABERNATHY , Prof. M. R. 1846 - Unknown
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jackie Rhodes kjrhodes@tycom.net July 2, 2007, 4:05 pm

Author: From Tennesse History & Biographies, McNairy Co

Prof. M. R. Abernathy, principal of the Purdy Male and Female Institute, and

superintendent of public instruction of McNairy County, Tenn., was born in

Alabama in 1846 and was one of a family of eight children born to Dr. Smith and

Elizabeth Abernathy, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born in

Franklin County in 1802, was a physician and followed that profession many

years. He was a Whig in politics and also a local preacher of the Methodist

Episcopal Church. He died in 1878. The mother was born in Chatham County in 1810

and died in 1867. Her maiden name was Ramsey. Our subject received his education

almost entirely through his own efforts. He came to McNairy County in 1858 and

soon afterward began teaching, which occupation he has followed the principal

part of the time since. In 1869, he married Miss Rachel M. Cox, a native of

McNairy County, born in 1848, and the daughter of Anderson and Rebecca Cox. The

result of this marriage was the birth of nine children: William K., Terry W.,

Florence W., Bessie L., Mary, Pearl, George M. (deceased), Orpheus and an

infant. In 1868 Prof. Abernathy was elected county superintendent of public

instruction and occupied this position until 1871. In 1885 he came to Purdy to

take charge of the Male and Female Institute at that place. Previous to this he

had taught a few years at Adamsville. January, 1885, he was chosen to his

present office of county superintendent, and has filled that ofice to the

general satisfaction of the people up to the present. In 1886 he assumed control

of the McNairy Independetn which under his able management will undoubtedly

become one of the leading newspapers of West Tennessee. Prof. Abernathy is an

independent Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the

Christian Church.

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