David W. McAnulty, a prominent merchant of Hickory Valley, is native of Hardeman County, born October 14, 1847, the elder of two children born to Joseph S. and Margaret A. (Woods) McAnulty. The father is a native of North Carolina, born May 12, 1821, and came with his parents to Hardeman County in 1835, where they lived the remainder of their lives. He is engaged in agricultural pursuits and has been successful in securing this world’s goods. He is a Democrat and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother is a native of Hardeman County, born May 14, 1833, and is a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. David W., by his own efforts, secured a good practical education, after which he was engaged in the farming interests on his father’s farm. In 1865, he became a salesman in the store of J. H. McClellan & Co., of La Grange, Tenn., where he remained one year, and the year following was connected with the firm of Graves & Gaither in the same capacity. December 10, 1867, Mr. McAnulty married Miss Martha R. Moorman, an accomplished daughter of Rev. R. A. Moorman of Hardeman County. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living. For about five years after his marriage, Mr. McAnulty was engaged in farming, with fair results, but in 1873 established a store in La Grange in partnership with a brother-in-law, J. P. Ferguson, which he continued one year. In 1874, they moved their stock of goods to Hickory Valley, and since then Mr. McAnulty has been of the enterprising and energetic business men of that place, now owning one-half interest in the store which is valued at $10,000, besides 300 acres of land. He is a Democrat and contributes liberally to the support of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he and wife are members.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”