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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gibson 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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Nathaniel J. Hockaday is one of ten children born to the marriage of Warwick Hockaday, who was born in North Carolina in 1783, and Martha W. Judkins, who was born in Virginia in 1786. She was taken to North Carolina when young, where she afterward met and married Mr. Hockaday, and in 1829 came with him to Tennessee, locating in Madison County, where they resided five years, and then came to Gibson County. The father was an overseer from the time he was twenty until he was forty-five years of age, and was one of the ablest foremen of his day. He was a miller and farmer, and at one time owned 725 acres of land. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, a Whig, and died in 1867. His wife, who was a member of the Methodist Church, died three years later. Nathaniel J. Hockaday was born in Halifax County, Va., January 1, 1821, and received a very good practical education. At the age of fifteen he hired out as salesman, and for eight years worked for one firm, driving a huxter wagon for about twelve months. In 1847 he married Priscilla J. Sandeford, who was born in Nash County, N. C., May 21, 1829. To them were born six children. Soon after his marriage Mr. Hockaday began farming, but jumped from a wagon, when the team was running away, and injured his back. He then followed merchandising for three years, but became involved, and had to return to manual labor. He has been prosperous, and now owns 500 acres of land. He has been trustee six years, and since the war has been a Democrat. He is a Methodist, and his wife and children are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 242 biographies included in The History of Gibson County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Gibson 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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