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Below is a family biography included in The History of Rutherford 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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DR. JAMES B. MURFREE, an old and prominent physician of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is a native of this county, born September 16, 1835, and is the son of Matthias B. and Mary A. (Roberts) Murfree, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. The father was one of the first settlers of this county, from whose family the town of Murfreesboro derives its name. His death occurred September 15, 1856. The mother died July, 1857. The subject of our sketch was reared on the farm and received his education at Union University, Murfreesboro, and received the degree of A. M., from that institution. At the age of eighteen he was engaged in the mercantile business for two years. In the summer of 1856 he commenced studying medicine with a view of making it a profession; and October, 1856, entered the medical department of the University of Nashville. In 1857 Mr. Murfree entered the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, taking two courses of lectures. In March, 1859, he graduated at the above college with the degree of M. D. He then returned home and began the practice of medicine, which he continued until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company I, First Tennessee Volunteers, and served as a private until June, when he was appointed surgeon and was afterward ordered to Knoxville, Tenn., and assigned to duty as assistant surgeon at that place. In September, 1861, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Confederate Army. At the close of the war he returned home and resumed the practice of medicine with good success up to the present date. Dr. Murfree is a Democrat in politics and served two terms as mayor of Murfreesboro during 1874-73. Himself and family are leading members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1862 Mr. Murfree was united in marriage to Miss Ada J. Talley, a native of this county and a daughter of Maj. P. C. Talley. To Mr. and Mrs. Murfree were born nine children: Hordy, Talley, Jane R., Ada J., James B., Fannie D., Libbie M., Mary R. and Matthias B., all of whom are living. Dr. Murfree is classed as one of the leading physicians of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Rutherford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Rutherford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

View additional Rutherford County, Tennessee family biographies here

View a historic 1888 map of Rutherford County, Tennessee

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