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Below is a family biography included in The History of Wayne 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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Thomas J. Huckaba, clerk of the Wayne County (Tenn.) court, and native of the county, was born March 15, 1851, and is one of seven surviving members of a family of thirteen children, born to the marriage of George E. Huckaba and Rhoda Y. Rainey. Thomas J. secured a common school education, which he much improved, however, in later years, by much desultory study and reading, and constant contact with business and official life. At the age of twenty years he began life for himself, and worked at manual labor as a wood chopper until his twenty-fourth year, when he began farming on rented ground, and in 1878 he and his brother purchased a tract of land in the Fifth District. They improved this somewhat, and from time to time purchased other lands, until our subject soon owned a one-half interest in 400 acres of land. In August of this year he was elected to the office of county court clerk, which he has filled continuously, by re-election, to the present time. During this time Mr. Huckaba has retained an interest in farming. In November, 1883, he, in company with his brothers, William F. and John F., and a friend, Louis A. Hardin, established a general merchandise store in Waynesboro, which is now successfully conducted under the firm name of Huckaba Bros. & Co. They began business with a very limited capital, but by industry, strict business integrity and close attention to business, have succeeded in establishing a good and paying business. He and his brothers, mentioned above, and William J. Dickerson now compose the firm. December 25, 1881, he married Mildred S. Hamm, of Wayne County. To them were born two children: Robert (deceased) and Clarence H. Mr. Huckaba has always been a stanch Republican, and he and wife are consistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church. John F. Huckaba, member of the above-mentioned firm, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., April 25, 1845. He was reared on a farm in Wayne County, and secured a limited early education. In 1863 he enlisted in the Federal Army, serving as private in Company H, Second Tennessee Mounted Infantry. He had his left hand seriously and permanently wounded before the company was mustered in, and was rejected on this account, and served, in all, but a few months. Until October, 1883, he farmed, then engaged with his brothers in his present business, and has contributed largely to its success. December 8, 1867, he married Mary Ann Morrison, and five children are the result of their union: Fannie E., James A., George M., Mary E. and Emerson. Mr. Huckaba and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Republican in his political views.

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This family biography is one of 76 biographies included in The History of Wayne County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Lawrence 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 Wayne County, Tennessee family biographies here: Wayne County, Tennessee

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