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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gibson 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 T. Cain, senior member of the firm of Cain & Son, is one of eleven children born to James C. and Rebecca (Bradshaw) Cain. The father was born in Illinois, near St. Louis, Mo. He served an apprenticeship at the cabinet-maker’s trade in St. Louis, and afterward came to Dover, Tenn., where he worked as journeyman for some time and then moved to Weakley County. Here he resided twenty years, then moved to Hickman County, and finally died in Obion County, about twenty years ago. The mother is still living. After his boys were well grown Mr. Cain gave his attention to coopering, house carpentering, shoe-making, wagon-making and farming. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He delighted in the chase, and as a marksman seldom found an equal. John T. Cain was born in Weakley County, Tenn., January 25, 1829, and was raised on a farm. He had little educational advantages but by his own exertions gained a practical education. He was only sixteen years of age when he began to battle his own way in the world. In 1852 he married Lockey B. Ward, who was born in Gibson County in 1835. Of five children born to them four are living. Husband and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Republican. Mr. Cain made his first advances toward fortune by chopping wood, and soon accumulated enough means to enable him to purchase some land. He now owns 230 acres of land, a grist and saw-mill near Bradford, and in 1881 or 1882 purchased a family grocery store at Bradford, his son, John T., Jr., being his partner. They are prompt and obliging business men, and have the confidence and respect of all.
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This family biography is one of 242 biographies included in The History of Gibson County, Tennessee published in 1887. The History of Gibson 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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