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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Haywood 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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Richard L. Hotchkiss, of the firm of Wilder & Hotchkiss, at Brownsville, Tenn., dealers in dry goods and general merchandise, was born in Madison County, Tenn., near Jackson, August 25, 1835, and is the son of Holt and Eliza Lurry Hotchkiss, natives of Connecticut and North Carolina, respectively. Our subject came to Brownsville when but ten years of age, and was educated at that place. His father dying when our subject was quite young compelled him to make his own way in life. He first learned brick masonry, and worked at the trade for one year, after which he attended school and gained a fair business education. He then served an apprenticeship with S. W. Bearson for five years for his board and clothing, and learned the watch-making and jeweler’s business. In 1856 he and his brother, Stephen Hotchkiss, engaged in the jeweler’s business at Brownsville, and was thus engaged at the breaking out of the war. He then entered the Confederate service with the Sixth Tennessee Regiment, and served until the close of the war, being a participant in several of the principal battles. At the close of the war he engaged in the jeweler’s business, and was very successful financially. In 1868 he and his brother purchased a farm in Haywood County, and he was for several years engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1877 he came to Brownsville and engaged in his present business. In 1858 he married Margaret J. Currie, daughter of George and Judith Currie, of Haywood County. To this union were born five children: Willie S., Judith L., Claudius P., Finis P. and Dora, both sons being dead. Mr. Hotchkiss is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in the book,  The History of Haywood County, Tennessee published in 1886 by Goodspeed.  The History of Haywood County was included within The History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties, Tennessee

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

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