Charles W. Trousdale was born at Gallatin in 1838, and is a son of ex.-Gov. Wm. Trousdale of Tennessee. He was educated in his native town, and in the city of Rio de Janeiro, when he accompanied his father, the United States minister to Brazil during the administration of President Pierce. After his return from South America, Mr. Trousdale studied law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. In 1862 he joined Ward's regiment of Tennessee Cavalry, Morgan's command, was elected first lieutenant of Company A, and served with that company until the battle of Chickamauga. Being wounded in that battle, and permanently disabled for field service, he was assigned to post duty; and served as assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Gen. Marcus J. Wright, at Atlanta, and with Gen. W. W. Macall, at Macon, Ga., until the close of the war. Mr. Trousdale married in 1860, Eleanor, daughter of Eli Odom of Sumner County. She died in 1866, leaving one child, a daughter. Since 1870 Mr. Trousdale has lived at his home in Gallatin.