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Below is a family biography included in The History of Lincoln 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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J. W. BARNETT, groceryman and mayor of Fayetteville, Tenn., was born in Salem, Va., in 1846, son of John L. and Lucinda (Williams) Barnett. They were of Scotch-Irish and Welsh-English descent, born in Virginia, in 1814 and 1821, respectively. The father followed merchandising in Virginia for forty years, but is now living a retired life. He has been twice married (the mother died in 1854), his second wife being Mary A Logan. Two of the three children by the first marriage are living. The second wife bore one child. Our subject attended Roanoke College, Virginia, and at the age of seventeen enlisted m the Salem Artillery of Hardway’s battalion, took an active part in the battles of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Richmond, Appomattox Court House and others and served until the final surrender. In 1867 he began clerking in his father’s store but removed to Pulaski, Tenn., in 1871 and continued clerking. In 1873 he came to Fayetteville and formed a partnership with F. W. Brown in a general merchandise store. In 1882 he established a staple and family grocery store, and has since been engaged in that business. In January, 1874, he married Julia C. Gordon, who was born in 1860, and has borne her husband four children: Clare Lou, Mary B., James W. and Julius L. Mrs. Barnett died in 1881 and the following year Mr. Barnett married Sadie E., sister of his first wife, born in 1845 and daughter of John T. Gordon. Mr. Barnett was chosen mayor of Fayetteville in 1885 and yet holds the office. He is a Democrat and a member of the K. of H. and A. O. U. W. He and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 137 biographies included in The History of Lincoln County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Lincoln County was included within The History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin & Moore Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin , Moore Counties of Tennessee

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