THOMAS W. WARNER, dealer in a general line of groceries and provisions, was born October 26, 1838, in Shelbyville, being a son of William D. and Mary (Swift) Warner, both natives of Bedford County. The father was killed when our subject was but one year old, and the mother is still living, having been married three times.
Thomas W. was raised by his grandmother, Swift, on a farm, and secured but a common school education. At the age of fifteen he began his own support. He has been engaged as a clerk and merchant for about twenty-five years. He also owns 143 acres of fine land and carries on farming, his residence being one and three-quarter miles west of Shelbyville, on the Fishing Ford Pike, in an excellent location.
He was married May 20, 1866, to Emma R. Trail, a native of Franklin, Ky. Six children have been born to them, viz.: Hugh, Frazer, William F., Thomas W., Henry W. and one who died. Mr. Warner and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the Democratic party. He has in his possession a $1 United States coin, bearing the date of 1798, which his father and grandfather each carried. Mr. Warner is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.