My Genealogy Hound
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.
* * * *
Rufus Woody, merchant of Palestine (P.O. Glass), Tenn., was born September 28, 1831, in Maury County, Tenn., and is one of eleven children, eight now living, born to the marriage of Robert Woody and Mary Ann Brooks, who were born in Orange County, N. C., and afterward moved to Maury County, Tenn. They both died in Maury County, in August, 1870. The father was a farmer and miller. At the age of twenty-six Rufus Woody began farming for himself, and continued that occupation three years. After coming to Obion County he farmed until 1863, and then joined the Second Tennessee Cavalry, and after the close of the war returned home, and continued farming until about 1870, then established a lumber and saw-mill in Palestine. This he afterward gave up, and in 1880 began merchandising in the same place, and his stock of goods amounts to about $4,500. In September, 1857, he married Sarah E. Wells, who bore him seven children, all of whom are deceased except one daughter—Mary Ann. The family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Woody is also a member of the F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat. His farm contains 108 acres, from which he recently cut a mammoth poplar, making over 11,000 feet of lumber.
* * * *
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
To view additional Obion County, Tennessee family biographies, click here
Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.