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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John E. Walker was born in the Twelfth Civil District of Jefferson County, Tenn., March 29, 1850. He is the son of Haynes and Eliza (Moore) Walker. The father is a native of Tennessee, and was a farmer, but is now in an old age and living with his son, our subject. The mother is also a native of Tennessee, and is also living with our subject. Both the parents have been useful citizens, and are good Christians; they are now in the decline of life, and are blessed by the tender care of our subject, whom they reared on the farm and educated at Mossy Creek College. Our subject finished a mathematical course, and but a few months of finishing a literary course. Our subject taught two schools before entering college, and by earnings thus gained he entered college, and after his collegiate work was over, he taught for two years, and then took up farming. He commenced this occupation with no capital other than willing hands and might, but had very bad health, and at one time left his field and gave up business under compulsion occasioned by his feeble health. But almost immediately he gathered courage, and with all the zeal possible began again his occupation, and by close care of himself he soon began to gain good health, and thus passed away this embarrassment. His need of a capital was accomplished by enterprise in farming, and by successful trading in stock. He now owns and cultivates a farm of more than 300 acres, and is trading in stock and grain. November 4, 1875, he was united in marriage with Helen Stokely, of Cocke County. Three sons and one daughter have blessed the union. Their names are Walter Stokely, Frank T., Minnie Luewa, Clyde Allen. Our subject is a member of the Baptist Church, and a Mason.

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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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