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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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Jackson C. Apple, a well known resident of the Eighth District of Smith County, was born at the place where he now resides, in 1825. That section was then called Jackson County, afterward Putnam. Jackson C. is one of eleven children born to David and Mary (Thackton) Apple. The father was of German descent, born about 1783 in North Carolina. He came to Tennessee when a young man, settling in the vicinity in which the son now lives. He owned considerable land and engaged in farming, tanning and shoemaking till the time of his death in 1855. The mother was of English descent, born in 1802 in Sumner County, Tenn., and died in 1882. The subject of this sketch received his education, in the log-cabin schools of his neighborhood. He remained at home with his parents till after his majority. In 1848 he married Mary J., daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Apple) Holford. Mrs. Apple was born in 1832 on Indian Creek, Jackson (now Smith) County. Their union resulted in the birth of three children, two of whom were raised: John H. and Tennie (the deceased wife of Prof. S. T. Clark). Immediately after marriage Mr. Apple moved to the farm on Indian Creek, which he had bought, but remained there only a few months. At the division of the homestead he removed to the portion allotted to him. The first official duties Mr. Apple performed was as justice of the peace of the Eighteenth District of Jackson County, at which time he was only twenty-two years of age. In 1852 he was elected sheriff of the county and moved to Gainesboro; at the expiration of his term he bought an interest in a mercantile house, where he was actively engaged for a year. In 1855 he purchased the entire homestead and moved his family there. During his absence Putnam County was re-established, which included his homestead. Until 1860 his attention was given exclusively to agriculture. He was made justice of the peace of the Twelfth District, serving a term of six years, and was also chairman of the county court in 1862-63. The war interrupted his official duties. April, 1866, he again became justice of the peace in same district. In 1868 the county line was changed, and he became a resident of Smith County. Soon afterward he was elected to same office (justice of the peace), but by presumption of State authority his commission was refused on account of supposed ineligibility, because of his sympathy for the Rebellion. After the amended constitution of 1870 he was called to the office of justice of the peace of the Eighth District of Smith County, and continued to hold the office. He was also county assessor in 1875, giving entire satisfaction. From 1877 to 1887 he was chairman of the county court. At the latter date failing health caused him to decline further service in that capacity. In 1872 he was the Democratic nominee for representative of his county, but was defeated by the Independent candidate, Samuel Allison. Mr. Apple is one of the most efficient and honored men in Smith County. Previous to the war he was a Whig, and is now a Democrat. His first presidential vote was cast for Zachary Taylor in 1848. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Granville Lodge, No. 342. Mr. Apple, wife and son, are consistent members of the Methodist Church, as was also the deceased daughter.

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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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