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Below is a family biography included in The History of Bedford 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. K. COOPER, Esq., was born January 25, 1831, in Bedford County, son of George and Sallie (Rutlege) Cooper. The father was born about 1796, and the mother about 1798. They both died when our subject was an infant and he was reared by his aunt, Matilda Rutlege, whom he assisted on the farm until her death, which occurred about 1871. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. In 1870 he was elected to the office of magistrate and filled that position in an able and efficient manner. He then began the study of law, and about 1876 the county court granted him license to practice law before the county court and before magistrate courts. He has been quite successful and has made quite a reputation as a lawyer. May 15, 1856, he wedded Rebecca F. Landers, of this county, and this union resulted in the birth of thirteen children: Cicero W., Alice A. (deceased), Lula S., Ella L., Callie T. (deceased), Maggie M., Eddie A. (deceased), Rebecca J., Algie B., America L., Johnnie E., Lattie B. and William E. Mr. Cooper received a common district school education in his early days, but having cultivated a taste for good reading while young, he acquired the major part of his education from the perusal of good books after having grown to maturity. In politics Mr. Cooper is a Democrat.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Bedford 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 Bedford County, Tennessee family biographies here

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