My Genealogy Hound
Below is a family biography included in The History of Bedford 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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J. M. L. STEPHENS is a son of John and Martha A. (Gulley) Stephens, who were born in North Carolina in 1776 and 1796, and died in 1831 and 1879, respectively. The father was an early pioneer farmer of Tennessee, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, and received land grants for his services. Our subject was born February 28, 1831, in Bedford County, and worked on a farm to support his mother until he attained his majority, when he began farming for himself, and in the winter season taught school for several years. He entered the Confederate service in 1862, in Company F, Forty-first Tennessee Infantry, and was in the battles of Chickamauga, Raymond, Jackson and others, but was not wounded or captured during service. After his return home he resumed farming, and in 1866 was elected constable and served two years. November 22, 1858, he wedded Margaret F. Robinson, of Bedford County, and their union has resulted in the birth of six children: Ransom, Kate, Joseph, John, Lizzie and Hiram. Mr. Stephens is a man well versed in the affairs of the times, and he and family are church members. His eldest son is preparing for the ministry. Mr. Stephens is a Mason, and a Democrat in his political views.
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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed. The History of Bedford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee
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