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Below is a family biography included in The History of Weakley 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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William D. Janes, one of the successful farmers and prominent citizens of the Sixth District of Weakley County, Tenn., is a son of Edward and Piety (Berry) Janes. He was born in Henry County, Tenn., in 1839, and is one of a family of fourteen children, only nine now living: Caroline (Mrs. B. L. Simmons), William D., Elizabeth (wife of Dr. James Revis), Savannah (Mrs. Samuel Irvin), Samantha (Mrs. Joseph Atkins), Mollie (wife of Dr. T. H. Allen), Ada (Mrs. George Laster), Ida (Mrs. W. C. McWirter) and Augusta (Mrs. George Newberry). The father was born in the Palmetto State in 1814. He received but a limited early education, but greatly improved it in later years by observation and study. He came to Tennessee when about nineteen years old, and July 28, 1836, was united in marriage to subject’s mother. For several years he was engaged in the mercantile business in Como. In 1859 he moved to Weakley County, where he is at present residing on a large farm. His wife was born in Kentucky about 1819, and moved to Henry County, Tenn., in 1820. William D. Janes, our subject, spent his boyhood days with his parents and was educated at the New Boston Academy and also the McKenzie Academy. At the age of twenty he took control of a mill, and is the present owner and manager. He also owns several hundred acres of fine land, well improved and cultivated. He is a man of undoubted integrity and good business qualifications and commands the respect of all who know him. He is a Democrat in politics and Horace Greeley received his first presidential vote.
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This family biography is one of 108 biographies included in The History of Weakley County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed. The History of Weakley County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee
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