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Below is a family biography included in The History of Smith 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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J. P. Temple, a physician and surgeon of the Fifteenth District, was born in 1856, in, Smith County, Tenn. He is one of three children born to Dr. W. P. and Elizabeth (Davis) Temple. The father, was a native of Bedford County, born in 1828, and a physician and surgeon. In 1845 he began reading medicine with Dr. Preston Frazier, in his native county, and later entered the medical college at Nashville. He was a successful practitioner, and became very popular. His death occurred in 1859. The mother was born in 1830, in Smith County. She makes her home with her son, W. D., in Bedford County. Our subject received his literary education in the New Middleton Academy. In 1875 he commenced studying medicine with Dr. Lem Robinson, and a year later with Dr. Bridges of New Middleton; after ten months he entered the medical department of the Vanderbilt University at Nashville, and graduated in the class of 1878, since which time he has had an extensive practice. He is recognized as one of the most able and esteemed physicians in the county. In 1878 he wedded Nannie P., daughter of John S. and Betty Gill, a native of Smith County, born in 1858. Three children have blessed the union: Willie P., John G. and Jimmie D. The Doctor and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The Doctor is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden in 1876. He is also prominently connected with the Masonic fraternity being a Royal Arch Mason.

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This family biography is one of 62 biographies included in The History of Smith County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Smith County was included within The History of Sumner, Smith, Macon & Trousdale Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Sumner, Smith, Macon and Trousdale Counties of Tennessee

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

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