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Below is a family biography included in The History of Rutherford 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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WILLIAM R. BELL, watch-maker, jeweler and musical instrument dealer, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is a son of Robert F. Bell, of this city, and was born in Rutherford County, September 14, 1857. William R. obtained a fair education and at the age of seventeen began learning the watch-maker’s trade, which he mastered and at which he worked until 1879, when he engaged in his present business on his own responsibility, and has met with the success his honesty and industry has merited. He has one of the best stores in the city, well stocked with jewelry of all kinds, silver and plated-ware, watches and clocks, and controls the majority of the trade in this city and county. Besides this he keeps a fine stock of pianos, organs, and other musical instruments, in which he does a thriving business. October 25, 1881, he was united in marriage to Nellie Frost, a native of Rutherford County. They are the parents of three children: Lizzie M., William R. and Lyda. Mr. Bell is a Democrat in his political views and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Rutherford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Rutherford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

View additional Rutherford County, Tennessee family biographies here

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