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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Crockett County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  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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A. C. Raines is a son of Asa and Rebecca (McMahon) Raines, and was born in Tennessee, October 20, 1844. He attended the common schools, and when but seventeen years of age enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, and rose to the rank of orderly sergeant. He was in many important battles, and served until the final surrender. His company surrendered in North Carolina in May, 1865. He returned home and October 11, 1865, married Mollie E. Thompson, who died November 24, 1871, having borne four children: Joseph Forrest, Thomas M., Nander W. and Alice O. (deceased). December 24, 1872, Mr. Raines married Ann T. Thompson, sister of his first wife and daughter of Hugh M. and Jane E. Thompson. To them were born four children: Mary O., William D., Elijah C. and Sallie Ann (deceased). This wife died December 8, 1880, and July 12, 1885, he took for his third wife Martha L., daughter of James M. and Elizabeth Dunlap. Since his first marriage Mr. Raines has resided on his present farm of seventy-two acres. He is a Democrat. Asa Raines, father of our subject, is a son of Stephen and Margaret (Williams) Raines, and was born in Stewart County, Tenn., in 1811. Stephen Raines was born in Virginia in 1766, and his father, John Raines, was born in England and came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary war, locating in Virginia, and served in that conflict. Stephen Raines went to North Carolina at the age of twenty-five, where he married Mary Rory, and after her death married Margaret Williams. About 1828 he took up his permanent residence in Tennessee, and located on the farm where his son Asa now lives. He died in his ninety-sixth year. His wife was born in Virginia in 1775, and died in 1824. Asa Raines only attended school about nine months during his life, but possessing a remarkable memory and being very observing, he became a well-informed and intelligent man. In January, 1833, he married Rebecca McMahon, who was of Irish ancestry, and by her became the father of four sons and four daughters, three of the daughters of whom are deceased. Those living are Erasmus B., Asa C., William Z., Albert and Rebecca E. Since 1828 Asa Raines has been a resident of the farm of 107 acres on which he now resides. Mrs. Raines was born in Alabama, May 28, 1812, and died January 22, 1876. August 19, 1876, he married Martha L. Reeves. Mr. Raines is a Democrat, and for over fifty-six years has been a deacon in the Primitive Baptist Church. His present wife was born in North Carolina in 1845, and is a member of the same church as her husband.

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This family biography is one of 72 biographies included in the book,  The History of Crockett County, Tennessee published in 1886 by Goodspeed.  The History of Crockett County was included within The History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties, Tennessee

View additional Crockett County, Tennessee family biographies here: Crockett County, Tennessee

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