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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Tipton County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  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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Joseph J. Elcan, M. D., a practicing physician of Mason, Tipton Co., Tenn., was born in Haywood County, December 27, 1841, and is a son of George H. and Elizabeth H. Elcan, natives of Virginia and North Carolina. Our subject was raised on a farm and received his education at Covington, Tenn., and in 1860 commenced the study of medicine under Dr. G. M. Whitthorne, of Bellemonte, Fayette Co., Tenn. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service; was under Gen. Forrest in the Seventh Tennessee Regiment of volunteers until the close of the war, and participated in most of the battles that Forrest’s command engaged in. When the war closed he again took up his chosen profession, medicine, and commenced the study of it under Dr. A. D. Clement, and his brother, Dr. A. L. Elcan of Tipton County, Tenn., and in 1869-70 attended the Medical University of Louisville, Ky. Since then he has been constantly engaged in the practice of medicine, and has established the reputation of being a well read and reliable physician. Dr. Elcan was married March 4, 1874, to Kate Green, daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy A. Green, of Virginia, and by this marriage has a son and a daughter: Lizzie R. and Claude V. Dr. and Mrs. Elcan are members of the Episcopal Church; he is also a K. of H., and in politics is a Democrat. He is highly esteemed both as a citizen and a physician in his community.

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This family biography is one of 91 biographies included in the book,  The History of Tipton County, Tennessee published in 1886 by Goodspeed.  The History of Tipton County was included within The History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties, Tennessee

View additional Tipton County, Tennessee family biographies here: Tipton County, Tennessee

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