WILL J. MUSE, clerk of the County Court of Bedford County, was born December 5, 1844, near Shelbyville. The Muse family originated in the United States from two brothers, James and George Muse, who came from England to North Carolina. George went to Virginia and James remained in North Carolina. Our subject is a descendant of the latter. The father of Will J. was Jo C. Muse, and the mother was Mary A. Muse, the parents being cousins. The father was a farmer and mechanic, and was identified with the public interests of this county. The maternal grandfather, John T. Muse, was, when quite young, among the first settlers of this State. He was an able minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, and founded the first church of that denomination in this county. He died suddenly while in the preparation of a sermon, having eloquently preached away a lifetime. Will J. was reared on a farm and had limited educational advantages. At the age of seventeen he entered Company B, of Turney’s First Tennessee and served throughout the war. He was promoted from a private to the captaincy of his company. He received eleven wounds, three of which were very serious. Returning from the army he attended school three years and taught one year. For three years he then clerked in a store. Subsequently he and a brother engaged in merchandising till 1882. He was elected to his office in August, 1882, and has filled it with general satisfaction to his constituents. He was married in 1872 to Nannie Russell, the results of this union being two children: Henry Kirk White and Georgie Awa. Both Mr. Muse and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a firm Democrat.
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.