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Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence 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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Josephus S. Johnson, a native of Lawrence County, Tenn., was born in 1832, and was reared to manhood on a farm. When about twenty-five years of age he removed to Arkansas and was engaged in teaching school, farming and clerking in a general merchandise establishment, remaining in the State two years. At that time he entered the Confederate service and remained until 1863, being a participant in the battle of Shiloh and others of less note. At the last named date he returned home and began pedagoging, meeting with good success for five years. He then united his fortunes with those of Amanda Herrin, who was born in 1844, and the daughter of C. J. and Martha (Abernathy) Herrin. Their union was blessed in the birth of ten children: Richard F., Martha O., Joseph L., Robert C., Ann Eliza V., Edna E., Eldridge H., Loulie H., Emma M. (deceased), and Mary E. Mr. Johnson taught school every year until 1873, when he purchased his present farm of 238 acres of well cultivated land. In 1876 he was elected magistrate of District No. 1, and has faithfully discharged the duties of that office up to the present time. He was elected county surveyor in 1881 and holds that office also. He has always been a stanch Democrat in politics.

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This family biography is one of 79 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Lawrence County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

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

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