My Genealogy Hound

W. F. Hancock, a merchant of Grand Junction, and citizen of La Grange, Fayette County, was born November 19, 1829, in Hardeman, County, Tenn., and is one of eight children born to Robert and Mary K. (Jones) Hancock, our subject; a brother and a sister are still living. The parents were natives of North Carolina, where they married, and in 1820 moved to Fayette County, Tenn., locating twelve miles northeast of La Grange, but in a few years moved to Hardeman County where they lived until they died, with the exception of two years spent in Mississippi. At the time of the father’s death in 1841 he was proprietor of a hotel in Bolivar. The mother died in 1865. Our subject remained at home until his father’s death, then filled various clerkships, including eight years in Memphis, when the war commenced, and he enlisted as first lieutenant in Forrest’s command, but owing to ill health was soon discharged. In 1855 he married Kate M. Mask, a native of Hardeman County, and they had three daughters, all living: Martha C., Sarah L. and Mary B. Their mother died in 1865, and in 1878 Mr. Hancock married Mollie F. Jones; they have four children: William F., Wiley J., Irene and Ida Lee. In January, 1885, he engaged in the mercantile business at Grand Junction under the firm name of Hancock & Hatton; they carry a stock of general merchandise valued at $5,000. Mr. Hancock is a K. of H. and an enthusiastic Democrat. Mrs. Hancock and family are members of the Methodist Church.