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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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WILLIAM G. DAVIS, farmer, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., November 12, 1837, son of Elnathan and Rebecca (Sivley) Davis, and of Irish-German descent. (For further particulars of parents see sketch of Elnathan G. Davis.) Our subject was reared on the farm and received a rudimentary education in the common schools. He subsequently attended Fairfield College, at Fairfield, Tenn., and October 28, 1858, he wedded Miss Mollie J. Norvell, daughter of Dr. A. S. Norvell, of Coffee County, Tenn. The fruits of this union were five children: Charles E., born October 1, 1861; Willie J., born February 13, 1864; Frank P., born July 8, 1867; Emma Smith, born November 18, 1860, and Lena Bell, born October 28, 1871. Mrs. Davis was born in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tenn., March 22, 1842. Her father, Dr. A. S. Norvell, was born June 8, 1813, and her mother was born July 13, 1819. The former died in Coffee County, Tenn., February 29, 1876, and the latter died in the same county April 28, 1886. They were married in the year 1839. Mr. Davis has a farm of 140 acres in a fine state of cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

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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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