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Below is a family biography included in The History of Giles 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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ISAAC NEWTON SMITHSON, of the firm of J. G. & N. Smithson, manufacturers of cotton goods, flour, meal, at the point known as Vale Mills in the Sixth District of Giles County, was born in 1858 in Alabama, and is a son of John G. and Ann V. Smithson, natives of Virginia, and Tennessee, respectively. Isaac received a liberal education in the Giles College, at Pulaski, and in early life assisted on the farm. He moved with his father to this State in 1866, and settled in Giles County. After completing his education at Giles College he was engaged as one of the teachers in that institution, and remained there one year. He then engaged in the book and stationery business until 1883, when he sold out his interest and moved to where he now resides at Vale Mills. The grades of flour manufactured by this firm are very fine, and their brand of flour known as “Excelsior” is extensively used in Middle Tennessee. September, 10, 1884, Mr. Smithson led to the altar Louise C. Harrison, daughter of Col. Thomas J. and L. E. Harrison of Indiana. Our subject is Independent in political belief, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Smithson is a member of the K. of P., at Pulaski, and of English-Irish descent.

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This family biography is one of 95 biographies included in The History of Giles County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Giles 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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