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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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Willis S. Stone is a Tennessean, born in 1840, son of Samuel E. Stone, who was born in Virginia and came to Tennessee when a young man; he followed the mercantile business, first in Wilson County, and afterward in Jackson County, where he resided until his death, in 1854. He was sober, industrious, and very popular among his friends. His widow married Daniel W. Hawes, and both reside in Gainsboro, Jackson Co., Tenn. Willis S. was reared in Gainsboro, and there resided until 1858, when he came to Flatwood and began clerking in the mercantile house of James Matthews, remaining with him until 1861, when he enlisted in the Eighth Tennessee Infantry under Col. Alfred S. Fulton. He was captured at Missionary Ridge and taken to Johnson’s Island, and there retained until the close of the war. He was at Perryville, Murfreesboro, and many other battles of note. In April, 1866, he married Ruth T. Pillow, daughter of Alvin G. and Mary (Holt) Pillow. Mrs. Stone was born in Tennessee in 1842, and is the mother of six children: Samuel H., Mary P., Joel A., Ruth, Bransford and John P. In December, 1865, Mr. Stone opened a mercantile store at Flat Wood, and did a successful business for about ten years. In 1883 he purchased his farm of 200 acres, with 90 acres adjoining. He is a Mason, and was elected county trustee. His many years of public life have made him very popular and well known. He is a stanch Democrat in politics.

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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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