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Below is a family biography included in The History of White 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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W. H. Magness, Jr., merchant, was born in De Kalb County, May 15, 1856, the son of Rev. Perry G. and Martha J. (Webb) Magness, both of Irish origin, and natives of what is now De Kalb County. The father was born in 1826 and died in DeKalb County September 29, 1877. The mother, born in 1881, is still living in Warren County. The father’s ancestors came from North Carolina. He was a prominent Primitive Baptist minister, and was county clerk of De Kalb eight years after the war. Receiving a liberal education at Water’s & Waiting’s College, McMinnville, in 1876 he established a general store at Magness’ Mills in De Kalb County. In 1880 he came to Sparta and has since been in the merchandise business. January 31, 1878, he married Florence Crowder who was born in White County March 20, 1859. Three children were born to them—one son and two daughters. He is a Democrat politically, and is a member of the church to which his wife belongs, the Primitive Baptist.

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This family biography is one of 38 biographies included in The History of White County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of White County was included within The History of Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Warren & White Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Warren, White Counties of Tennessee

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

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