The Thompsons of Texas:Information about Mary Elizabeth Scruggs
Mary Elizabeth Scruggs (b. 25 Oct 1837, d. 25 Apr 1913)
Notes for Mary Elizabeth Scruggs:
"Mrs. W.H. Horton, superintendent of public instruction of Shelby County, is a daughter of Judge P.T.and Minerva (Rivers) Scruggs, both natives of Middle Tennessee, the father born in 1806 and the mother in 1808.When young they came to Fayette County, where their marriage rites were duly solemnized.In their family were five children, three of whom are living.One of the boys was killed in the late war.Of the living one son is a lawyer.The father also followed that profession, and,though a self-made man, became prominent in his profession.Having moved to Holly Springs, Miss., he there practiced for a period of about ten years, holding for a time the office of circuit judge.After his return to Memphis he was chosen judge of the criminal court , and was holding that office at the time of his death.Both parents and children are Methodists.In 1860 the mother died, and eighteenyears later the father died of yellow fever.The subject is a native of Fayette County and received her education at Franklin Female College, Miss.In 1860 she married W.H. Horton, a commissioner, of Memphis.The same year of his marriage he entered the Confederate service under Forrest, and, after serving some two years, lost a leg while scouting around Memphis.His constitutuion having been ruined by the hardships of war, he became an invalid.To support the family of one son and three daughters Mrs. Horton began teaching, which she continued till 1882, when she was elected superintendent of public instruction and has held the position since.Under her skillful management the schools of Shelby County reached a standard of excellence that had not been equalled until (this time) then."
Re: Goodspeeds History of Hamilton, Knox and Shelby Counties of Tennessee; Reprinted from Goodspeed's History 1887.Published and Distributed by Carles and Randy ElderBooksellers, 2115 Elliston Place, Nashville, TN 1974.
More About Mary Elizabeth Scruggs:
Burial: Unknown, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Somerville, Tennessee.
Education: Franklin Female College, MS.389
Occupation: Bet. 1882 - 1886, Superintendent of Shelby County Schools.390
Religion: Methodist & converted to Christian Science.
More About Mary Elizabeth Scruggs and William Halbert Horton:
Marriage: 02 Feb 1860, Memphis, Tennessee.391
Children of Mary Elizabeth Scruggs and William Halbert Horton are:
- +Edmunds Henderson Horton, b. 22 Dec 1860, Memphis, Tennessee391, d. 16 Jan 1906, Elsworth, Kansas392.
- Minerva Rivers Horton, b. 30 Apr 1862, Memphis, Tennessee393, d. 27 May 1863, Hardeman County, Tennessee393.
- Sallie Scruggs Horton, b. 09 Apr 1865, Memphis, Tennessee393, d. 16 Oct 1925, Memphis, Tennessee394.
- Elizabeth Rivers Horton, b. 22 Feb 1867, DeSota County, Mississippi395, d. 11 Nov 1955, Memphis, Tennessee395.
- Frances P. Horton, b. 20 May 1869, Memphis, Tennessee396, d. 03 Dec 1933, Memphis, Tennessee.