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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 W. Johnson, a pioneer citizen of Tennessee, is a native of Lawrence County, Tenn., born in 1820. His father, Robert Johnson, was born in North Carolina and came to Tennessee when quite young. He was a farmer, and married Mary McLaren, of South Carolina, who bore him eight sons, seven of whom lived to be grown, and four are yet living. The father was a major and colonel in the State militia, and died in 1836. His widow then married a Mr. Thornton. She died in 1857. William W.’s early days were spent on his father’s farm, where he resided until 1844, and then emigrated to Mississippi, and was first employed in keel-boating on Chickasaw River. He farmed for some time, and also acted as overseer for several men. After traveling several months in Arkansas he was united in marriage to Mary A. Shoffner, who was born in Tennessee in 1830, daughter of Martin and Jane (Johnson) Shoffner. Soon after their marriage they purchased a farm, but sold out in 1856, and after being employed as overseer for two years he purchased and moved on to his father’s farm, and there now lives. This farm is near the noted Wayland Springs, and contains about 900 acres. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; he is a Democrat and his first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren. His family consisted of seven children, six of whom are living: Mary J. (deceased), Robert A., Andrew, Laura L., Emma, Wiley B. and Albert S. Andrew is a practicing physician on the home place, being a graduate of the Vanderbilt University.

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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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