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Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence 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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Darling M. Tidwell is a son of Vincent and Phoebe (Rackley) Tidwell. The father was born in the Palmetto State, and was an early pioneer of Tennessee. Of their twelve children eight of them lived to be grown, and six served in the Confederate Army. Vincent Tidwell and his wife died in 1873 and 1883, respectively. Darling M. Tidwell was born in Tennessee in 1832, and in 1850 wedded Roxanna W. McCracken, born in Tennessee in 1835, daughter of Calvin and Amanda (English) McCracken. Mr. and Mrs. Tidwell had eighteen children: John V., Phoebe E., Mary J., James C., Calloway H., Frances L., Thomas M., Charles W. and William J. (twins), Andrew J., Robert E. L., C. D., Wiley N., Emma L., Lulu and Nancy D. Two died in infancy. Eleven of these children are living, and five are married. Our subject began doing for himself at the age of eighteen, and by perseverance and energy accumulated considerable property. When about twenty-eight years of age he was appointed deputy sheriff, and held the office about six years, after which he was elected constable of his district, holding that position about four years. He served in the late war in Company D, Biffles Cavalry, and participated in many hotly contested battles. After his return he was constable of his district about two years. In 1873 he purchased the farm on which he now lives and which contains 1,100 acres. He deals extensively in cattle and mules, and in 1880 began merchandising on his farm, but is now closing out. In June, 1878, his wife died. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. His children are all living in this State. John B. moved to Texas in 1876, and died in 1878, leaving a widow and three children to mourn his loss. They are now living in Tennessee.

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This family biography is one of 79 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Lawrence County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

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

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