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Below is a family biography included in The History of Coffee 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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John H. Ashley, high sheriff of Coffee County, and a prominent citizen of Manchester, was born in Rutherford County, June 13, 1848. He is the son of W. F. and Lidia A. (Mankin), both natives of Tennessee and of English descent; the former was born near Beech Grove in 1822 and died November 5, 1878; the latter, still living, was born in Rutherford County, in 1822. The elder Ashley was a farmer and a sound Democrat. Our subject was the oldest of seven children; received his academical education at Beech Grove Academy chiefly, and for sixteen years successfully pursued agriculture. In 1884 he was elected high sheriff of Coffee County and was honored by re-election two years later by a handsome majority. He has risen, a self-made man, to his present successful position. December 18, 1868, he was married to Mattie E. Hightower, born in Murfreesboro in 1859, and a graduate from the Female Institute in her native city. Two children were born to them: Freelin H., born February 11, 1881, and Mamie, born September 7, 1883. Mr. Ashley is a stanch Democrat and a member of the Separate Baptist Church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an influential lady.

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This family biography is one of 59 biographies included in The History of Coffee County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Coffee County was included within The History of Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Warren & White Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Warren, White Counties of Tennessee

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