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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dyer 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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J. R. Todd, a farmer of the Fourth Civil District, is one of the oldest citizens in the county. He was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C., in 1815. His father, Hugh Todd, who was of Irish descent, was a native of the same county, born in 1789. He married Narcissa Rogers, of his native county, and in 1824 came to Carroll County, West Tenn., where he lived upon a farm until his death, in 1845. He was the father of nine children, three of whom—J. R., Hugh S. and Jackson M.—are now living. Narcissa Rogers was born in 1787, and died in 1872. J. R. Todd received a practical education in the schools of Carroll County, and remained at home with his parents the greater part of the time until he was forty years of age. On November 28, 1854, he was united in marriage with Amanda Davis, a daughter of Joshua and Margaret Davis, and a native of Davidson County, Tenn., born January 9, 1830. In 1858 Mr. Todd bought a farm of 160 acres in the Second District of Dyer County, where he remained until 1869, when he exchanged it for his present property, consisting of 154 acres, situated two miles west of Dyersburg. Mr. Todd has been quite successful in his business, and has always been esteemed for his honesty and integrity. In his political ideas he is quite liberal, but since the war has usually voted with the Democratic party. Previous to that time he was a Whig. He is a member of Lodge No. 93, A. F. & A. M. On July 31, 1885, Mrs. Todd died, leaving four children: Hugh M., John D., Frank R. and James L.

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This family biography is one of 128 biographies included in The History of Dyer County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Dyer County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

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