My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of East 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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J. R. N. Carson, of Carson & Peak, general merchants, Carsonville, was born five miles above Dandridge, July 14, 1850, the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Hale) Carson. The father was born in Jefferson County, in 1822, the son of John Carson, a native of Virginia, and an early pioneer of Jefferson County. He was an esteemed farmer, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his death occurred in 1865. The mother was born in what is now Hamblen County, in 1824, the daughter of Richard Hale. She is a devoted Christian of the Presbyterian faith, and makes her home with our subject. Mr. Carson was reared, on the farm, and educated at Dandridge. He engaged in merchandising in 1873, at White Pine, and continued there for about ten years, and for four years operated a farm in connection with his store, In 1886 he removed to Carsonville, and opened his present business, which has been most successful, placing him among the leaders of his town. In 1873 he married Eliza J., the daughter of James Rayl, and born in East Jefferson County, in 1858. Four of their five children are living. His wife is a Presbyterian. J. H. Carson, an uncle, was a prominent man, and was a member of the Lower House in the Legislature, two terms, and also in the Senate, for a similar time. At his death he endowed Carson College with $25,000, and the institution, from which that town took its name, was given its present title in his honor. James Hale, was another uncle who represented Jefferson County in the Lower House, two sessions.

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This family biography is one of 938 biographies included in The History of East Tennessee published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: History of East Tennessee

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

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