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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dyer 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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Doney W. Gauldin, by occupation farmer and auctioneer, is a resident of the Seventh District, of Dyer County, and is a son of M. O. B. and Margaret P. Gauldin, was born in Prince Edward’s County, Va., in 1828, and is one of eleven children, six of whom are living. He was raised and educated at home; when twenty-two years old he commenced as overseer, which he continued for four years. May 8, 1851, he married Miss Amanda R., daughter of Edward B. and Martha Ann (Carter) Bradshaw, of Virginia, and had twelve children, nine of whom are living: Margaret P., Joseph H., Charles, Dora E. (wife of John Newbel, of Texas), Mattie Lou (wife of Jeff Childress), D. W., Jr., Edward B. and Michael O. B., Jr. (twins), and Robert James. He continued as overseer until 1854, when he purchased a good farm of 150 acres, four miles south of Newbern, where he has since lived. November, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, Fifteenth Tennessee Calvary, under Gen. Bell, and was in a number of sharp skirmishes. At the time of the surrender he was at home obtaining supplies for the artillery. Most of the time he served in the quartermaster’s department. After the war he resumed farming. He is a man of ability and influence, and as an evidence of his generosity, he has assisted in building seventeen churches, though not a member of any. In 1871 he was elected constable of his district, and was tax collector for several years. Mr. Gauldin was formerly a Whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Scott. Since then he has been conservative. Mrs. Gauldin was born in Virginia, November 17, 1832, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They have a delightful home, four miles south of Newbern with 150 acres of productive land.

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This family biography is one of 128 biographies included in The History of Dyer County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Dyer 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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