My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

Mrs. Maria McClellan, who is an esteemed resident of the Second District, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1838. She is one of thirteen children born to Dr. Thomas and Elizabeth (Clay) Norman. The father was of Scotch descent, born in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1801. He was an able physician and surgeon. His residence was in Lebanon. For about forty years he was the leading practicing physician of Wilson County. He died in 1876. His wife was a native of Smith County, born in 1814, and departed this life in 1857. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education at the Abbey Institute, of Lebanon, and a college at McMinnville. February 22, 1865, she married D. S. McClellan, who was the son of Samson and Louisa (Cornwell) McClellan. He was born October 24, 1833, in Smith County, and educated at Erwing College, Warren County, and Cumberland University at Lebanon. At the outbreak of the late war he enlisted in Capt. Hart’s company, Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. He took an active and gallant part in the battle of Shiloh. In 1864 he was honorably discharged on account of disability. After marriage he located in the Second District, where he was one of the most prosperous farmers in the section. He owned 500 acres of productive soil. He was by trade a mechanic, and in connection with his farm operated a saw-mill, and was an extensive lumber dealer, also dealt in grain, shipping immense quantities of it to Nashville. He was a stanch Democrat, and a highly esteemed, honorable man. He never united with any church, but was a Christian, and died in the belief of a reward here after. His death occurred May 7, 1882. Mrs. McClellan is an intelligent, estimable woman, and held in the highest respect by the community. She is an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church.

* * * *

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.