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Below is a family biography included in The History of Giles County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  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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HON. THOMAS B. HARWELL, a retired physician of Giles County, is the son of Gilham and Annie Harwell, natives of Virginia, who immigrated to Tennessee when quite small. They were married in 1820, and this union resulted in the birth of seven children: Sarah E., Thomas B., Samuel G., Annie W., Alfred F., Mary A. and William G. The father died in 1838, and the mother is still living. Our subject received his education in the Wurtenburg Academy, at Pulaski. In 1844 he commenced the study of medicine with I. J. Pepperson, of the above town, and in the fall of 1844 entered the Louisville Medical College, and attended one course of lectures. In 1850 he commenced the practice of medicine, and was engaged in this profession until 1867. He then abandoned his practice, and has since been devoting all his time to agricultural pursuits on the farm where he now resides. He has 600 acres of excellent land, all well improved, which is six miles south of Pulaski, near Harwell’s Station. He has been a rather successful man in all his under takings, and is regarded as a prosperous and industrious farmer. In 1875 he was elected to the Legislature from Giles County, and was re-elected to the same in 1879, representing Giles and Lincoln Counties. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the F & A. M. fraternity, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has also taken an active part in educational affairs of Tennessee, and is one of Giles County’s leading citizens.

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This family biography is one of 95 biographies included in The History of Giles County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Giles County was included within The History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin & Moore Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin , Moore Counties of Tennessee

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