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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Hardeman 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 S. Norment, one of the oldest and best known residents of Hardeman County, was born in the county January 31, 1828. His parents were Nathaniel E. and Sarah (Menifee) Norment. The father was a Virginian of English descent; the mother was of English-Dutch extraction, born in Knox County, Tenn. When quite young they moved to Alabama, where they were married and lived until 1826, when they came to Tennessee, settling near Whiteville, Hardeman County. To their union seven children were born, two of whom are living. Both parents were Methodists, but late in life Mrs. Norment united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her death occurred in 1881. Previous to Mr. Norment’s marriage with Miss Menifee, he had been twice married. By his first wife he had two children, and by the second wife four children. He was one of the most prosperous farmers of the section in which he lived, and built the first and only cotton factory in the county. He departed this life in 1839. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, receiving such education as the common schools of that day afforded. At the age of nineteen he engaged in agricultural pursuits, to which he has given his attention since that time. For a short time previous to the war he was interested in merchandising. He is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a liberal contributor to all charitable, religious or worthy enterprises. He was an old time Whig, and is now a stanch Democrat. Few men in the county are older or more respected residents than he. In 1847 Mr. Norment married Miss Nancy Burford, born March 10, 1829. To them six sons and five daughters were born. Mrs. Norment died in 1874, a sincere Christian, an estimable woman and devout member of the Methodist Church. Her parents were Dr. Jonathan and Nancy (Chaffin) Burford. The father was a native of North Carolina. Early in life he moved to Alabama, where he was at one time clerk of the court. In 1828, after his marriage, he came to Hardeman County, where he was a successful practicing physician until failing health caused him to retire from active life. He was an old school Whig. His death occurred in 1849. Mrs. Burford was a Virginian, the mother of ten children, of whom only two are living. She died in 1838. Both were members of the Methodist Church.

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This family biography is one of 101 biographies included in the book,  The History of Hardeman County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Hardeman County was included within The History of Fayette and Hardeman Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Fayette and Hardeman Counties, Tennessee

View additional Hardeman County, Tennessee family biographies here: Hardeman County, Tennessee

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