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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Hardeman 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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Thomas M. Newsom, circuit court clerk of Hardeman County, was the sixth of a family of eleven children born to Michael J. and Mary C. (Cosbey) Newsom. The father was a Virginian. He moved to Middle Tennessee when quite a young man. There he was married. During his residence in that section of the State he assisted in the laying of the corner-stone of the State Capitol. About 1850 he settled in Hardeman County, where the remainder of his life was spent. He was a prosperous agriculturist, owning some 700 acres of valuable land. For six years he was magistrate and served eight years as constable. He was a stanch Democrat. He died in 1871, a consistent member of the Methodist Church, to which his wife also belongs. Mrs. Newsom is still living on the homestead. She is about sixty-three years of age, a true Christian woman, beloved by all who know her. Of her family of children ten are living. Our subject, Thomas M., was born in Hardeman County, March 17, 1858. He was raised on a farm. In his early years his educational advantages were very meager, but later he received the benefits of a much better class of schools. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school, which he continued for about eight years, meeting with considerable success, and giving entire satisfaction to his patrons. In 1886 he was called to the important and honored position which he now holds. Thus far he has proved to be a most efficient officer, and his friends have no doubts concerning his future discharge of duties. He is an ardent Democrat, a genial, intellectual gentleman, well known and highly respected.

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This family biography is one of 101 biographies included in the book,  The History of Hardeman County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Hardeman 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 Hardeman County, Tennessee family biographies here: Hardeman County, Tennessee

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