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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gibson 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 L. Elder, secretary and treasurer of the Trenton Cotton Seed Oil Mills, is a native of the town, born February 19, 1850, son of Henry L. and Harriet N. (Houston) Elder. William L. was the second of seven children and was educated at Andrew College at Trenton. After quitting school he clerked for his father, who was a dry goods merchant at Trenton at that time, and was afterward made one of the firm, which was known as H. L. Elder & Sons. His father died in 1879, and the firm name was changed to W. L. Elder & Co. He remained in that business until 1883, when he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Cotton Seed Oil Mills, and has since held the position. He has been fairly successful, and is regarded as a prosperous and industrious young man. He is a Democrat, and of Scotch-English descent, and October 18, 1876, was united in marriage to Mary E. Hunt, daughter of Robert H. and Margaret E. Hunt, of Trenton. Mr. and Mrs. Elder are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
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This family biography is one of 242 biographies included in The History of Gibson County, Tennessee published in 1887. The History of Gibson County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee
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