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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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Nathan J. Williams is a son of Johnson and Elizabeth (Robb) Williams, who were born in Tennessee. The father in early life learned the blacksmith trade and followed it for a number of years, making a success of the same financially. For some years previous to the war, slaves carried on the work, but were superintended by him. He served as constable and sheriff, and during the Rebellion was with the Union, yet sympathized with the Southerners. After the death of the Whig party he was a Democrat. He was the first sheriff of Gibson County after the war, being elected in 1870. He made his home in Trenton and was an excellent citizen and honest man. He died in 1884. His wife died in 1853. Nathan J., our subject, is one of six children and was born in Gibson County, in 1849. He was reared in Trenton and lived with his father until 1882, when he married Hattie L. Smith, daughter of W. L. and Ann I. (Hall) Smith. She was born in this State in 1858, and is the mother of two children: Earl H. and Gordon L. Mr. Williams owns about fifty-five acres of land a mile and a half from the county seat, and seventy-two acres nearer town. He also has an interest in fifty-one acres in another portion of the county. He has been constable in his district, and served as deputy sheriff under his father a number of years. He is a Democrat, and of Irish and English descent, and his family have always been noted for their honor and integrity.

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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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