My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of East 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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James T. Watkins, merchant and postmaster at Mossy Creek, was born in Kentucky, July 22, 1844, the son of Claiborne R. and Rhoda (Harris) Watkins. The father was born in Whitley County, Ky., in 1802, the son of Joel Watkins, and lived as a farmer, and died in 1873. The mother was born in Grainger County, Tenn., in 1812, the daughter of Isaac Harris, and died about 1856, a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, and acquired a practical education in the country schools, and left the farm January 1, 1863 and enlisted in the Federal Army, CompanyA, Eighth Kentucky Infantry, and joined his regiment after the battle of Stone River. His company were in the general campaign about Chattanooga, and was the first to reach the top at Lookout Mountain. In October, 1864, the enlistment of the Eighth Regiment expired, and they were mustered out, excepting 109 men, among whom was our subject, who were transferred to the Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and took part in the Georgia campaign. Our subject was mustered out at Macon, Ga., in August, 1865, and returned home, and soon went to Dandridge, Tenn., and became a clerk in his brother’s store. From 1872 to 1882 he was merchandising at Mill Spring, then moved to Mossy Creek to his present business. He has been postmaster since September 7, 1885. He is now one of the trustees of Newman Female College, Mossy Creek, and is a progressive man interested in public welfare. In 1870 he married Leanah Galbraith, a daughter of William Galbraith, and born August 12, 1844, in Jefferson County. They have had seven children. Our subject is a Mason, is treasurer of the Knights of Honor, and collector for the People’s Mutual Life Insurance Order, of Nashville. He is a Baptist while his wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 938 biographies included in The History of East Tennessee published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: History of East Tennessee

To view additional Jefferson County, Tennessee family biographies, click here

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