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Below is a family biography included in The History of Hickman 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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William George Clagett, general merchant, and the oldest member of the Clagett family now living, is a native, of Maryland, born in Prince George County, December 7, 1813, son of Horatio and Rebecca Clagett. Our subject is the third of eight children, and came with his parents from Maryland to Tennessee when only four years of age. His early life was spent on a farm, and his services were given his father until 1830, when he came to Centreville and took a position as clerk in the store of Dale & Phillips, and in the spring of 1835 engaged in the mercantile business with Henry R. Fowlkes. Two years later his younger brother, Horatio, bought Mr. Fowlkes’ interest, and the firm became known as W. G. & H. Clagett, and has since continued, being the oldest firm in the State. Upon the organization of the First National Bank at Centreville, in 1885, Mr. Clagett was chosen its vice-president, and still holds the position. He was married July 21, 1835, to Theodosia C. Whitfield, who was born in Williamson County, April 1, 1816, daughter of Wilkins and Mary Whitfield, who were Virginians. Mrs. Clagett died October 1, 1839, and our subject married Elizabeth O. Hornbeak February 10, 1842. She was born in the county February 18, 1818, and is a daughter of Eli B. and Sarah Hornbeak. Mr. and Mrs. Clagett became the parents of nine children, four of whom are living: Sarah R., Letty P., Cordelia E. and Theodosia C. Mr. Clagett was a Whig, but is now a Democrat. He was postmaster of Centreville during Van Buren’s administration. In 1817 he was elected magistrate and held the position until the close of the war. In 1866 he became clerk of the circuit court, holding the office nine years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Their long and happy union is drawing to a close, and they can look back over a prosperous and well spent life.

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This family biography is one of 20 biographies included in The History of Hickman County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Hickman County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

View additional Hickman County, Tennessee family biographies here: Hickman County, Tennessee

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