My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of East 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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James C. Henderson, farmer, was born in Sevier County, April 20, 1844, the son of George M. and Sarah Henderson, the former born in that county May 12, 1811, the son of William Henderson, whose father was one of the pioneers of Tennessee, and was killed in the Cumberland Mountains by Indians. The father, George, learned the tinner’s trade in early life, but was a successful farmer. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1879. The mother was born in Cocke County, in 1813, the second daughter of William and Mary Yett, and is now living on the old homestead in Sevier County, a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject grew up on the farm, and was educated at the academy in Sevierville. In October, 1863, he left the farm and enlisted in Company H, Ninth United States Tennessee Cavalry, of which he was quartermaster sergeant, and was mustered out in April, 1865, at Knoxville. During his service his health was so impaired that for the last five years he has been almost an invalid. After two years near Sevierville, and five years in another part of that county, he came to Jefferson County, and now owns and cultivates a fine river farm of 275 acres, near Dandridge. From 1876 until April 1887 he served as a member of the county court, and then resigned. He is a Mason, a Baptist, and is highly esteemed. June 1, 1865, he married Nancy A., daughter of J. M. and Mary A. Thomas, of Sevier County, born in Cocke County, October 19, 1845. She is a devoted Christian—a member of the Baptist Church. Their seven children are living.

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This family biography is one of 938 biographies included in The History of East Tennessee published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: History of East Tennessee

To view additional Jefferson County, Tennessee family biographies, click here

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