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Below is a family biography included in The History of Macon County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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Hon. Jesse West, farmer and prominent citizen of La Fayette, Tenn. and son of Miles F. and Susan (Payne) West, was born in Smith County in 1844, and is the second of three children, all of whom are living. The father is also a native of Smith County, born in 1819, and a son of Jesse West, of Tennessee, who was a son of Miles West, a native of Virginia. Miles F. West, our subject’s father, was twice married, his first wife being the mother of our subject. She was born in Smith County about 1817, and was married in 1841. She died in 1856. In 1859 Miles F. married Miss Mary Denton, who bore him three children. He is still living in the Sixth District of Macon County, and is a farmer and Baptist minister by profession. He removed to Macon County in 1855, and resumed his ministerial duties, which he has followed for twenty-five years. Our subject was reared at home and educated in the common schools. At the early age of seventeen he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-eighth Tennessee Infantry (Confederate Army), and took part in all the battles in which his command engaged. He was wounded at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, which rendered him ineffective for duty several months. He returned home and resumed his labors on the farm after four years of gallant service. In April, 1868, he married Miss Sarah F., daughter of Robert and Mary Hudleston of Smith County, and by her became the father of nine children — six sons and three daughters: Mary Susan, Selden Lee, Perry Bunyan, Miles Robert, Felix Jesse, Henry Ora, Merlin Aolis, Veva May and Verdie Clyde (twins). After marriage Mr. West located in the Sixth District, where he remained until 1873 as a tiller of the soil. He then sold out and removed to Fayette, where he has since resided, being the owner of 200 acres of good, productive land, on which is a valuable and productive sulphur spring that is destined to make the place a famous health resort. He was magistrate of the Sixth District, but resigned to accept the position of trustee, to which he was elected in 1880. He was twice re-elected, serving six years to the general satisfaction of all. In 1886 he was elected to represent Macon and Clay Counties in the State Legislature. He is a lifelong Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour in 1868. He and wife are faithful and consistent members of the Primitive Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 24 biographies included in The History of Macon County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Macon County was included within The History of Sumner, Smith, Macon & Trousdale Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Sumner, Smith, Macon and Trousdale Counties of Tennessee

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

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