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.

* * * *

Wylie A. Altman is a son of Richard H. and Zilpha (Burns) Altman both born in North Carolina in 1808 and 1809, respectively. They were married in North Carolina and soon after moved to West Tennessee, where they lived until 1851, then moved to Arkansas. Both were consistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the father was a Whig. He was overseer of a plantation and was poisoned by a negro, whom he had punished, and from the effects lost his eyesight. He died in 1859, and his widow and Wylie returned to Tennessee. She is still living and resides with her children Wylie A. was born in Gibson County, Tenn., August 1, 1843, and was raised on a farm. He was obliged to lead his blind father while the latter worked; thus his educational advantages were very limited. During the war he held an office which required him to read and write, so that he improved very much in both these branches. He joined Company B, Col. Jones’ battalion, in 1861, and served faithfully for four years. His last three years were spent in the infantry of which he was sergeant, and the last year first lieutenant in the cavalry. After his return to Arkansas he farmed, and in 1866 married Martha J. McCracken, by whom he had four children. She died in 1873, and late in the same year he married Mary C. Wylie, by whom he had eight children. Mr. Altman is a Democrat and owns 287 acres of land. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His first wife was a Methodist and his present wife is a Presbyterian.

* * * *

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

To view additional Gibson County, Tennessee family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.