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Below is a family biography included in The History of Smith 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. J. A. Barrett, farmer and miller, was born in 1838, in Smith County, Tenn., one of the children of James and Nancy (Ballenger) Barrett, The father, a farmer and minister, was born in North Carolina in 1812, and came to Smith County when a child. In 1837 he served in Col. Campbell’s regiment, in the Florida war, under Gen. Jackson, and in 1847 was elected to the State Legislature. He was ordained as minister in the Missionary Baptist Church. He died in 1873, owning about 900 acres of land and other wealth. The mother was born in Culpepper County, Va., and is still living with her son, W. F. Barrett. Educated in a Sumner County college, our subject for three years was a teacher. In 1857 he bought his present 114 acres of land, in connection with which he is a large stock shipper. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fourth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, and was orderly sergeant at Shiloh. After the reorganization of the army in 1863 he became second lieutenant, and in August of that year was honorably discharged on account of disability. In 1856 he married Martha H., daughter of Judge W. B. and Elizabeth Whitley, and born in Smith County in 1844. She died in 1865. Their children are William A. and Edward E. In 1867 he married Emma C., daughter of Nicholas and Penelope Smith, and born in DeKalb County in 1848. Her death occurred in 1882. Their six children are Robert N., Alfred E., Charles S., Ocia E., Elmer G. and Ernest. He owns a two-thirds interest in a saw-mill. In 1871 he was elected justice of the peace; he was also member of the court. In 1874 he was elected to the State Legislature. He is a member of the Masonic order, being a F. & A. M. and R. A. C. and G. C., and is also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 62 biographies included in The History of Smith County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Smith 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 Smith County, Tennessee family biographies here: Smith County, Tennessee

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