Gen. William Trousdale (deceased) was born in Surry County, N.C., in 1790, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. When eight years of age, he came with his father, James Trousdale, to Sumner County, Tenn., and located on 640 acres, which James received for services rendered during the Revolutionary war, and on which a portion of Gallatin is now standing. William was a pupil of the Rev. Gideon Blackburn and of John Hall, two of Tennessee's early and most honored educators. In 1813, although a mere boy, William abandoned his books and as a private volunteer, entered the army. Soon after reaching the Indian country, he was elected third lieutenant. He participated in the battle of Tallahatchee, fought by Gen. Jackson's side at Talladega, and when his term of service expired returned home and resumed his studies. In 1814, in response to a call for volunteers, he joined the patriotic band and was at the battle of Pensacola, where he captured a cannon. He also took part in the battle of New Orleans, and when peace was restored he returned home and again began his studies. He read law and was admitted to the bar in 1820. He married Miss Mary Bugg, a native of Virginia, born in 1808. In 1835 he was elected senator to the State Legislature, and in 1836 became major-general of the State militia. The same year, at the head of a gallant regiment of mounted men, he went to Florida, where he was engaged in three battles. In 1837 he was the Democratic nominee for Congress, and was defeated by a small majority, although the Whig majority was large. In 1840 he was Democratic elector in the presidential contest, and in 1847 he was appointed by the President as colonel of infantry in the United States Army. June 13 he landed at Vera Cruz with his regiment; July 13 he was at Pueblo, and August 13 he reached the valley of Mexico. He was at the battle of Molino-del-Rey, also at the battle of Chapultepec. He was twice wounded and had a broken arm, but continued on duty. He commanded the Third Division of the army on return home. In 1849 he was elected governor, Neill S. Brown being the Whig candidate. He filled this honorable position with credit and distinction. In 1853 he was appointed by President Pierce as minister plenipotentiary to Brazil, and after four years at Rio [de] Janeiro, he returned home by way of Europe and visited Italy, France and England. He died in March, 1872. He was a gentleman in the fullest sense of the word, a faithful and incorruptible public servant and an able professional man. His wife came to Sumner County, when only six years of age. She died in 1883. Their son, Hon. J. A. Trousdale, is a legal practitioner at Gallatin.