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Below is a family biography included in The History of DeKalb 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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D. T. Harrison, druggist, was born in 1856 in De Kalb County, the son of John and Mary (Kelley) Harrison. The father, born in Ireland, came to America with his parents when eight years old, and when eleven left home and in some way settled in White County, Ill. He married in White County and learned the tanner’s trade. He was in the late war about one year, and in 1865 came to Smithville and bought a tanyard of W. H. Magness, at which he continued until 1880, when he was elected register. He served four years and in 1886 moved to his present residence near Temperance Hall. His wife was born in White County, and died in 1881. Their six children were James B., in Harrison, Ark., a merchant; our subject, Cora, John H. (deceased), Robert S., and William (deceased.) Our subject was educated in Fulton Academy and Pure Fountain College, Smithville. In 1879 he and his brother, J. B., established a tobacco factory at Smithville, and since 1882 when his brother withdrew, he has been running it independently. He manufactures about 15,000 pounds annually. In March, 1886, he bought a drug store of his brother and has since carried on both lines of business, and is a promising young business man. Politically he is a Democrat and is a member of the I. O. O. F., Pure Fountain Lodge, No. 217, Smithville, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 45 biographies included in The History of DeKalb County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Dekalb 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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