My Genealogy Hound

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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Thomas Dies, a farmer and stock raiser of two miles east of Dixon Springs, was born in Smith (now Trousdale) County in 1817. He is of a family of ten children born to Thomas and Kizzy (Ventress) Dies. The father was of Irish descent, born in North Carolina in 1784. He came to Smith County when a boy. He was a prosperous farmer until the time of his death in 1847. His wife was a native of Smith County, and died in 1819, when our subject was two years old. Thomas Dies did not have many educational advantages. His instruction was received at Dixon Creek Church, which was the first organized in the county. At eighteen he began life as a farmer. In 1839 he married a daughter of John and Susan Merryman, Miss Mary, who was born near Lynchburg, Va., in 1821. To their union twelve children were born, only four of whom are living: Sarah, Francis, Virginia, and Alonzo, who is a farmer. Mr. Dies enlisted in the Confederate service, Capt. Bridgewater’s company, Twenty-first Tennessee, and was elected orderly sergeant. On account of ill health he was discharged in 1862. He returned to his home and resumed farming, which occupation he has since continued with great success. He was a Whig previous to the war and is now a Democrat. He and the entire family belong to the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Dies is an honorable, industrious man, well and favor ably known throughout the county where his life has been spent.

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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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