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Below is a family biography included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILL J. MUSE, clerk of the County Court of Bedford County, was born December 5, 1844, near Shelbyville. The Muse family originated in the United States from two brothers, James and George Muse, who came from England to North Carolina. George Went to Virginia and James remained in North Carolina. Our subject is a descendant of the latter. The father of Will J. was Jo C. Muse, and the mother was Mary A. Muse, the parents being cousins. The father was a farmer and mechanic, and was identified with the public interests of this county. The maternal grandfather, John T. Muse, was, when quite young, among the first settlers of this State. He was an able minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, and founded the first church of that denomination in this county. He died suddenly while in the preparation of a sermon, having eloquently preached away a lifetime. Will J. was reared on a farm and had limited educational advantages. At the age of seventeen he entered Company B, of Turney’s First Tennessee and served throughout the war. He was promoted from a private to the captaincy of his company. He received eleven wounds, three of which were very serious. Returning from the army he attended school three years and taught one year. For three years he then clerked in a store. Subsequently he and a brother engaged in merchandising till 1882. He was elected to his office in August, 1882; and has filled it with general satisfaction to his constituents. He was married in 1872 to Nannie Russell, the results of this union being two children: Henry Kirk White and Georgie Avva. Both Mr. Muse and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a firm Democrat.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Bedford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

View additional Bedford County, Tennessee family biographies here

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