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.

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R. D. Flippen, farmer, was born in Smith County in 1857, the son of Roger D. and Elizabeth (Dyson) Flippen. The father, of English origin, was born in Virginia, and in his youth came to Tennessee with his father Armstead, who was one of the first settlers in the county. The father lived in Smith County at the time of his marriage and died in 1827. The mother, of Welsh descent, was born in Virginia and died here at the age of thirty years. Our subject, one of six children, two living, and left an orphan, lived with his grandfather, Mark Dyson, until about fifteen years old. He then attended school a few years at Rome, Tenn. He then began farming for himself. In 1847 he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Tennessee Regiment Infantry, Capt. Goodall; he was soon appointed orderly sergeant. April 18, 1850, he married Tennessee, daughter of Samuel and Sallie High, and born in Smith County in 183l. Their six children are Samuel H., Elizabeth, wife of S. F. Ward; Luther B.; Virginia, wife of W. E. Myer; Tabitha and Maud. After his marriage he began an overland journey to California, being ninety days on the road and sixty days’ actual travel. He mined partly, and dealt in mine supplies by pack-mules, going out in the summer to buy stock, which trips were full of Indian adventure, and returning to camp in winter; but butchering occupied his attention the last four years. Returning in 1857 he soon settled on his present farm. Enlisting in Capt. Sander’s Independent Company, and elected second lieutenant he fought the Northern forces at Fishing Creek and Shiloh, and at the reorganization of the army returned home. Mrs. Flippen died in 1873, and November 25, 1874, he married Mrs. Annie McFarland, born in Rutherford County in 1840. In 1865 he bought 383 acres, but as relief from growing cares he disposed of 230 in 1884. Formerly a Whig he has been a Democrat for years. He is a Mason. His wife and three daughters are members of the Baptist Church, and his son, Samuel H., a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

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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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