My Genealogy Hound

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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Timothy Dowland is a son of Henry and Susannah (Smith) Dowland, who were born and married in Rowan County, N. C. Their family consisted of ten children, nine of whom lived to be grown. Both parents were active members of the Lutheran Church and the father was a gunsmith, carpenter and blacksmith, and continued the latter calling until in his seventy-fifth year. He was quite a mechanical genius and very skillful with tools. He was for some time captain of the State militia, and was magistrate for many years. He was a Whig, and came to Gibson County, Tenn., in 1839. Here he died in 1858 and his wife in 1852. Their son, Timothy, was born in Cabarrus County, N. C., May 17, 1812. He attended school only two years but acquired a good common education and distinguished himself as a mathematician. In 1839 he came to Gibson County and built the first bridge of note across the South Fork of Obion River. By his industry he became the owner of 1,100 acres of land, and in 1846 married Sarah Mitts, who was born January 19, 1819. To them were born ten children; nine are living and eight are married and settled in the neighborhood. Emerson E., the youngest, is unmarried and resides at home. Mr. Dowland has been a stanch Democrat since the death of the Whig party, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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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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