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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lauderdale 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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De Witt C. Mitchell was born in Lauderdale County, within a short distance of where he now resides, October 15, 1843. He is the only member living of a family of four sons and three daughters, born to Zachariah and Minerva (Davis) Mitchell, and is of Irish descent. His father was born in Davidson County, near Nashville, where he was raised and educated. He married and lived in that county until 1836, when he moved to Lauderdale County, where he remained until his death in 1871. The mother was also born in Davidson County, and died in 1870. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a common school education, and has made farming his chief business. Mr. Mitchell entered the Confederate Army, Company E, First Confederate Cavalry, under Col. King. He was in the battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro, and served over three years; was captured at Murfreesboro, and held as a prisoner at Camp Douglass for twenty-one months. He was married December 5, 1866, at Hall’s Station, to Miss Martha J. Jordan, daughter of S. A. Jordan, a prominent farmer, and one of the founders of Hall’s Station. Mr. Mitchell was born in Williamson County, August 1, 1847. One son, James Archie, was born to this marriage January 22, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is also a member of the K. of H. and G. C., and is a firm Democrat. He owns 159 acres of land, and a nice residence.

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This family biography is one of 116 biographies included in the book,  The History of Lauderdale County, Tennessee published in 1886 by Goodspeed.  The History of Lauderdale County was included within The History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties, Tennessee

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

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