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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 W. Kinney, a respected and well known farmer, of the Second District, was born August 14, 1838, in Haywood County, Tenn. His parents were George W. and Lucinda J. (Tucker) Kinney. When young they both came to the western district, settling in Haywood County, where they were wedded. In 1860 they moved to Hardeman County. Both belonged to the Methodist Church. Of the fourteen children born to their union, only four sons and three daughters survive. The father was of Irish descent, an old school Democrat, as are his sons. All of his life he was an industrious, energetic farmer, and accumulated some 1,700 acres of fine land. He died in 1883, since which time the mother has made her home with her children. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. On reaching manhood’s estate, he took charge of his father’s business, conducting it for seven years. In 1866 he married Miss Letitia F. Goodwin, who was born August 29, 1848. Their union has been blessed with eight children, four of whom are sons. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney are consistent and earnest members of the Missionary Baptist Church. After marriage he settled in Mississippi where he farmed until 1880, when he returned to Hardeman County. He has been quite successful in agricultural pursuits and now owns about 600 acres of good land. He is an enterprising and worthy citizen.

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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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