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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Maj. R. Thornburgh, merchant at New Market, Tenn., was born there February2, 1830, the son of Ai and Mary (Landsdown) Thornburgh, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of North Carolina. The father was also a farmer and merchant. Our subject was educated at New Market, and reared on the farm. After the fall of Sumter he enlisted in Company K, First Tennessee Federal Cavalry, and in 1865 was mustered out as major. He was a gallant soldier of twenty-two battles, and since the war has returned to his favorite pursuit of merchandising. Addie E., a daughter of Adam K. Meek, became his wife, and Mamie is their only child. In 1884 our subject was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature to represent his county, and again re-elected in 1886. He is a Presbyterian, and a member of the G. A. R.

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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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