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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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William F. Hail is a native of the county in which he now resides, his birth taking place in 1828. His father was a Virginian and came to Tennessee with his parents when quite young. He was a farmer, and served under Jackson in the Indian wars. During one of the battles he obtained possession of an Indian boy, whom he afterward reared and educated. He gave him a medical education and he practiced that profession in Maury County until his death. The father married Tolitha Badgett, who bore him nineteen children, fourteen of whom lived to be grown, and six are living at the present time. The mother died in 1838, mid the father wedded Martha Sullivan, who bore him five children, three yet living. The father died in 1852. William F. Hail was married in 1851 to Mary A. Vaughn, who is a Tennessean, born in 1826, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Westmore) Vaughn. To Mr. and Mrs. Hail were born the following family of children: John T., Laura N. (deceased), Tolitha E., Mary A., Margaret E., Margie A. and William F. Their mother died in 1867, and Mr. Hail took for his second wife Margaret McLaren, who was born in Tennessee in 1833, and died in 1880. In 1882 Mr. Hail wedded Ella Joyce, daughter of Henry and Nancy (Kimbrew) Joyce, who were born in South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Mrs. Hail was born in 1845. Our subject has always resided on a farm, and began doing for himself at the age of twenty-three years. He served in the late war, enlisting in 1862. He was a brave and faithful soldier, and returned home in April, 1865. In 1866 he purchased his present farm of 160 acres and is doing well financially. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics.

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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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