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Below is a family biography included in The History of Fayette 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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Josiah H. Dortch, attorney at law at Somerville, Tenn., was born in Somerville February 15, 1858, and is the son of Hon. William B. and Lucy W. (Higgason) Dortch, who were natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, and were married May 4, 1856, our subject being the only issue of their marriage. The father was a distinguished lawyer at Somerville and died March 10, 1882. The mother is still living. Josiah H. Dortch attended the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Tenn., and then attended the Vanderbilt University at Nashville and graduated there in 1878. He then practiced law awhile, and afterward became the editor of the Somerville Falcon, and was connected with that paper until 1882, when he resumed the practice of law, and since then has been one of the most prominent members of the Somerville bar. In February, 1886, he was appointed circuit court clerk of Fayette County, and filled that office until the expiration of the term September 1, 1886. Mr. Dortch has made a fine reputation as a lawyer of ability, and is unusually well read in his profession for a man of his age. He is a Democrat and takes an active part in politics, being at present chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Fayette County. December 3, 1884, he married Lula B., daughter of W. A. and Mary E. Harris of Somerville. Mr. Dortch is a member of the F. &. A. M. and has been secretary of Lodge No. 73, at Somerville, for the past seven years, and is one of Somerville’s leading citizens.
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This family biography is one of 77 biographies included in The History of Fayette County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed. The History of Fayette County was included within The History of Fayette and Hardeman Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Fayette and Hardeman Counties, Tennessee
View additional Fayette County, Tennessee family biographies here: Fayette County, Tennessee
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