My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Perry County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  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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James M. Dodson, proprietor of the Dodson House, at Linden, Perry Co., Tenn., was born in Hickman County in 1835, and is a son of Marshall and Emily (Brown) Dodson, who were born in the Old Dominion, and were brought to Tennessee by their respective parents when quite young. They were married in Williamson County, and soon after moved to Hickman County, where they remained until 1851, when they came to Perry County, where they resided the remainder of their lives. The father died in May, 1863. His widow resided with our subject until her death in July, 1883. At the age of twenty-two James M. united his fortune with that of Martha Jane Harris, who was born in Perry County and is a daughter of David R. Harris. Our subject farmed until the breaking out of hostilities between the North and South, when he enlisted in Company E, Sixth Tennessee Federal Cavalry, and was afterward transferred to Company G, of the same regiment, and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he was elected sheriff of Perry County, serving two years, and then resumed farming. In December, 1872, he moved to Linden and has since kept a first-class hotel. To him and his wife eleven children were born, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Dodson is a member of the K. of H., and his wife is identified with the Methodist Church.

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This family biography is one of 46 biographies included in The History of Perry County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Perry County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

View additional Perry County, Tennessee family biographies here: Perry County, Tennessee

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