My Genealogy Hound

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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DR. WILLIAM STEWART, physician and surgeon, residing near Molino, Tenn., was born in Newberry, S. C., February 9, 1809. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Drennan) Stewart, were born in the Emerald Isle. They came to the United States, and the father participated in the Revolutionary war, serving the entire time. He was a farmer and died in 1826. In 1827 the mother came to Tennessee with her children, and here she died in 1844. They were the parents of seventeen children. Our subject was educated in his native State, and came to Tennessee when nineteen years of age. He began studying medicine at the age of twenty-three, and October 12, 1831, married Nancy McClain, who was born in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1811. Of their ten children nine are living: John P., James L., J. Milton, Robert A., Henry M., Elizabeth A. (Mrs. A. J. Davis) Joseph B., Mary J. (widow of J. W. Dandridge), and Oliver Sidney. Our subject farmed for some time in Bedford County after his marriage, and then began practicing medicine, soon acquiring a lucrative business. In 1848 he settled in Lincoln County on the old home place. In 1860, not being satisfied with his medical knowledge, he went to Macon. Ga., and took a course of lectures in the Reform Medical College, and graduated in the same year August 29, 1869. Dr. Stewart lost his wife, and September 27 of the following year he married Fannie Sheddan, who was born in Blount County in 1836. Dr. Stewart has been exceptionally fortunate in the practice of his profession, and is considered a skillful physician and surgeon. He owns 205 acres of land, and in politics still holds to the old Whig principles. In 1865 he represented Lincoln County in the State Senate. Dr. Stewart is a strong advocate for temperance and has done much to eradicate the evil of intemperance in communities where he has resided. Not one of his large family of children has ever used liquor in any form, and the same may be said of them in regard to tobacco, tea and coffee. The Doctor and his wife have been members of the United Presbyterian Church for many years.

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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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