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Below is a family biography included in The History of Williamson 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. W. L. NEVILS, a leading citizen of Williamson County, was born in this State July 14, 1834. His father, Josiah Nevils, was born in Virginia in 1794, and the mother, Sallie Beech, was also born in Virginia, about 1809. They both came to Tennessee in the year 1821 and in 1823 were united in marriage. The father left his farm to fight in the war of 1812, and was in the memorable battle of New Orleans. He died in the year 1854 and his wife in 1852. Our subject wedded Miss Ella G. Low in 1871. She was born in Tennessee September 13, 1851, and was the daughter of Gabriel and Vina H. (Pinkston) Yarbrough Low. To our subject and wife were born six children: John L., deceased, born in 1872; Augie V., born in 1874; Josiah W., deceased, born in 1876; William W., born in 1877; Sallie M., born in 1880, and an infant not named. Our subject engaged in the mercantile business in Maury County, Tenn., in 1856, and in 1861 closed out and enlisted in the Confederate Army, serving his country until the close of the war. One year after returning from the war he engaged again in the mercantile business at Peytonsville for about ten years, after which he sold out his stock of goods and gave his undivided attention to farming. He has 104 acres of good land near Peytonsville. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, also of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Nevils is a Democrat and in 1874 he was elected magistrate in this district.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Williamson County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Williamson 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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