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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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JESSE MAYES, M. D., an old and prominent physician of Giles County, is the son of Jesse and Frances (Hill) Mayes, natives of Virginia. They were married in 1800, immigrated to this State and settled in Giles County in 1825. To this union were born ten children: Fletcher H., Thomas H., Mary, Susan, Elizabeth, Jesse, Fannie, Octavia, Samuel J. and Abigail. The father died in 1860, and the mother followed him in 1866. Our subject was born October 25, 1814, in Rockbridge County, Va., and attended the district schools. In 1834 he commenced the study of Medicine with Dr. Edward R. Field, a prominent physician of Pulaski at that time. Our subject entered the Cincinnati Medical College in 1838, and after attending two courses of lectures he received an appointment from the government as assistant surgeon in the Indian emigration and held the position for the year 1840. At this time he returned to Giles County, and has since been constantly engaged in his profession and is regarded as one of the oldest and most reliable physicians of this county. In 1841 he married Mary E. Cook, daughter of Col. and Sallie Cook, of North Carolina, and to them were born three children: Julia F., Sarah F. and William H. (deceased). Dr. Mayes has 400 acres of land in partnership with his son-in-law, Jacob E. Morton, and is in very comfortable circumstances. In 1836 he was in the Florida war, and served his time and received an honorable discharge at New Orleans. Dr. Mayes is a Democrat in politics, and all his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

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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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