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Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin 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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JOHN K. BENNETT, a prominent merchant of Decherd, Tenn., was born April 23, 1840. His father, H. K. Bennett, was a son of John Bennett, one of the very early settlers of Franklin County, and a well-to-do man, having dealt extensively in lead-mining interests. H. K. Bennett was a farmer; he died in 1847. The mother of John K., was Clarissa Keeton, a daughter of John Keeton, one of the very first pioneers of the county and a very prominent citizen, having held the different public offices in the county. When fourteen years of age our subject found himself on his own support. He went to Atlanta and engaged at manual employment for a time, and in 1857 engaged as a mercantile clerk there, which he continued till the fall of Atlanta before Sherman. He then returned to Franklin County, and soon established his mercantile trade, which he has continued very successfully ever since. Besides merchandising he carries on farming and stock-dealing. His stock of merchandise is about $3,500, and he transacts a yearly business of from $10,000 to $15,000. He was first married in 1858 to Miss M. T. Allen, of Atlanta, who bore him three children, viz.: John E., Lycurgus L. and Bettie, now the wife of C. D. Jackman, of Kentucky. Mrs. Bennett died in 1872, and Mr. Bennett married Mrs. Lavina Parks, who became the mother of two children—Charles and Lavina—and died in 1877. In 1878 Mr. Bennett chose and wedded Miss Florence Hines, the result of this union being four children—Daisy, Robert, Edgar and Minnie. Mr. Bennett and family are members of the Christian Church. Politically he has always been a Democrat. He is an enterprising and respected citizen of the county.

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This family biography is one of 83 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Franklin County was included within The History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin & Moore Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin , Moore Counties of Tennessee

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