My Genealogy Hound

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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J. W. Lyon was born in Wake County, N. C., in 1824. He is one of five surviving members of a family of six children born to W. W. and Mary (Oliver) Lyon, who were both born in North Carolina, the former in Caswell County, in 1796, and the latter in Wake County, in 1803. They were married in their native State and came to Henry County, Tenn., about 1831, where the father died in 1854 and the mother in 1879. Our subject was educated in a small school near his home, and by his own efforts. November 23, 1851, he wedded Jane Hinton, who was born in Madison County, September 10, 1827, and died October 13, 1852. His second wife, whom he married in 1853, was born December 26, 1825, and died February 22, 1876, leaving five children: Sarah F. (Mrs. E. A. Taylor), James B., Lou Emma (Mrs. J. P. Booth), L. H. and Ascenith (Mrs. John Shaw). In 1848 Mr. Lyon located in Gibson County, which is now a part of Crockett County. September 13, 1876, he married Mrs. Nancy A. Byers, daughter of Eli Smith. She was born in Rutherford County in July, 1834. From 1854 until the breaking out of the war Mr. Lyon was magistrate of his district, and after the close of that conflict, held the position for some time and then refused further re-election. He owns over 800 acres of very fine land and has his home place well improved and under good cultivation. He has always taken great interest in internal improvements and has given his hearty support to all enterprises for the public welfare. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and although opposed to the principles of secession, sympathized with the Southern cause. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years, and he and wife belong to the Missionary Baptist Church.

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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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