William M. Fariss, M. D., a leading citizen and physician of Tullahoma, Tennessee, was born in Franklin County, Tennessee, April 22, 1834, and is the son of William and Martha (Clardy) Fariss, natives of South Carolina. The father died in 1861 and the mother in 1874. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Our subject was brought up on the farm and attended the public schools. In 1854 he began the study of medicine at Winchester, with Dr. Wallace Estill as preceptor. Later he attended several courses of lectures, and in March 1858 graduated from the medical department of the University of Nashville. He at once began practicing in Franklin County, Tennessee, and continued until he entered the Confederate Army, joining Company D, of Turney’s First Regiment of Tennessee Infantry as private. He was appointed assistant surgeon and assigned duty with the Fifth Alabama Battalion. Subsequently he was elected first lieutenant of his old company with which he continued during the war. At the battle of Gettysburg he was seriously wounded in the thigh, captured and held as prisoner for twenty-one months. After the war he returned to his old home and took care of his aged mother, practicing his profession. In 1869 he removed to Tullahoma to practice where he has resided ever since, and built up a large and lucrative practice.
October 17, 1867, our subject was married to Amanda M., daughter of C. J. Taylor of Franklin County, Tennessee, and to them were born nine children, two of whom are dead. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is a member of I. O. O. F., F. & A. M., and A. O. U. W. lodges. Politically he is a democrat.