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Below is a family biography included in The History of Obion 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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Richard W. Fowlkes, farmer and trader, was born in Hickman County, Tenn., November 11, 1853; son of Mark L. and Martha S. (Foster) Fowlkes, also of Hickman County, Tenn., born in 1824 and 1826 respectively. Gabriel Fowlkes, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia about 1762, and came to Tennessee about 1806, settling in Williamson County. He died in Hickman County. Our subject’s mother died in 1875. Richard W., is the fifth of twelve children, and was raised on a farm. He received a common school education, and taught school one year. He came to Obion County in 1881 and located just outside the corporate limits of Union City. He owns 195 acres of fine land and is one of the leading farmers in the county. In March, 1885, he engaged in the livery business, and this still continues. In May, 1886, he began the manufacturing of brick. He is a Democrat, a K. of H., and was married October 21, 1874, to Miss Fannie Walker, of Hickman County, who was born in 1855. They have four children: Carrie, Mattie, Elva and Ruby. Mrs. Fowlkes is a member of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 179 biographies included in The History of Obion County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Obion County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

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