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Below is a family biography included in The History of Wayne 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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James H. McLemore’s birth occurred in Halifax County, N. C., in 1826, and he came to Tennessee in 1844, with his mother and step-father. His own father, Joel H. McLemore, was a tailor by trade, and followed that occupation for many years. He died on a farm to which he had retired in 1835. His widow, Betsey (Pullen) McLemore, then married John Whitaker, and after coming to Tennessee died in 1858. Our subject was married February 1, 1849, to Sallie A. Whitaker, daughter of James C. and Delphia (Lyon) Whitaker. She was born in North Carolina in 1828, and came to Tennessee with her parents in 1844, and is the mother of ten children: Virginia W., Richard M., James W. (who died September 13, 1858), Mary E. (who died June 11, 1886), Delphia D., Anna, Sallie H., Robert L. (who died October 14, 1867), John Pullen and Nora. Our subject lived with his father in North. Carolina until the latter’s death. He acquired a good education, and after his mother’s second marriage continued to reside with her until 1840, when he began life for himself. He purchased his present farm in 1847 and has ever since been a tiller of the soil. His farm consists of 412 acres of well improved and exceptionally fertile land in a good state of cultivation. He and wife are church members, and he is a Mason and a stanch Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 76 biographies included in The History of Wayne County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Lawrence County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

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

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