Boys at the Turn of the Century

In 1900 William Daniel Sugg became a big brother. His little brother, John, Jr., pictured here with W.D. in about 1903, was a life-long friend. John was the only of the three Sugg siblings—W.D. and John had a sister named Susie—who had children. W.D. and Susie both doted on John’s two children, a boy and a girl (more about them in another post).

For those who knew Dr. Sugg as a nearly bald man during his time in Bradenton, this photo may be a little amazing because of the bountiful CURLS he sports in this formal portrait.

One story worth sharing of W.D. and his brother as children seems quite remarkable to someone born in the 21st century. John and W.D. grew up in a house on the Hillsboro Road, the main artery between Franklin and Nashville and the two young boys were extremely fascinated by something called the automobile. They would spend hours laying, watching the dusty or muddy road waiting for a glimpse of a passing car. Imagine that? Those who travel the Hillsboro Pike daily probably dream of fewer cars!