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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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Rufus King is one of the substantial farmers of the Second District of Dyer County, and was born in North Carolina, April 23, 1836, and was one of a family of eleven children. His parents were James and Mary King. His father was born in North Carolina in 1809. When quite young he moved to Dyer County, but after one year returned to North Carolina, where he married and engaged in farming, and died March, 1883. His mother was born in North Carolina, in 1808, and died in 1865. Mr. King moved to Dyer County, July 2, 1859, and located near his present farm. He was raised and educated in North Carolina. January, 1861, he married Mary A., daughter of Wm. Goodrich. She was born in North Carolina, in 1839, and died July, 1872. Mr. King had four children by this marriage, living. James H., Lettie, Martha and Emma S. In 1868 he located west of his present home, where he moved in 1877. He owns 200 acres of valuable land, with good improvements. December 19, 1874, he married Mary, daughter of Josiah and Lucinda A. Boaz. She was born in Rutherford County, in 1843, and by this marriage there are four children living: Leota L., Charles T., Josiah B. and Jeanette A. Mr. King is a Republican, and was strongly opposed to the principles of secession. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and both his wife and himself belong to the Christian Church. After the war he commenced without any capital except his energy and business tact, and now owns a nice estate, and gives his children the best educational advantages his county offers.
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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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