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Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence 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 M. Alford was born in Tennessee in 1832, son of Isaac W. and Mary P. (Edmiston) Alford. The father was a North Carolinian by birth, and was an early immigrant to Tennessee. He was a farmer and merchant, and held the office of trustee for ten years. He was a follower of the Democratic party and died in Lawrence County in 1859. His wife died in 1876. James M. clerked in his father’s store until twenty-five years of age, and closed out the stock at the latter’s death, and also settled up the estate. In 1858 he wedded Martha F. Childress of Tennessee, born in 1838, daughter of Adian D. and Nancy (McGuire) Childress. The following are the children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Alford: Emma C., William R. (deceased), James B., Charles A., Edward C. (deceased), George T. (deceased), Joseph H. and Maggie S. Mrs. Alford died May 25, 1886. In 1862 Mr. Alford enlisted in Company D, Ninth Tennessee Cavalry Confederate States Army, as a private, and was elected orderly sergeant and served faithfully until the close of the conflict. Since his return in 1865 he has farmed and worked at the carpenter trade. In 1868 he was elected circuit court clerk, holding the office until 1870, when he resigned and opened a general merchandise establishment at the noted watering-place, Wayland Springs. He also carries on farming and is a stanch Democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as was his wife previous to her death.

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This family biography is one of 79 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Lawrence County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

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

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