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Below is a family biography included in The History of Weakley 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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B. D. Irvine, farmer and miller of Dresden, Tenn., is a native of Weakley County, Tenn., born October 31, 1832, son of Samuel and Catherine (Jones) Irvine. He was educated in the neighboring schools and in Dresden, and made his home with his parents until he was fourteen years of age. He served four years as his father’s deputy. In 1855 he and his brother R. N. and J. E. Freeman engaged in merchandising, and November 5, 1856, he married Agnes Moran, daughter of James H. and Harriet Moran. Mrs. Irvine was born October 7, 1838, in Dresden, and became the mother of twelve children, ten of whom are living: Harry C., who is in Texas; Thomas E., who is in South America; John S., James A., Florence, Robert L., Moran, Sophia A., Forest D. and William P. In 1857 Mr. Irvine sold his interest in the mercantile establishment to his brother and Mr. Freeman, and with T. A. Baker established a new firm, continuing two years. He owns 450 acres of fine land, and a handsome residence in the suburbs of Dresden. In 1880 he, C. W. Cottrell, G. S. Boyd and S. P. Scott engaged in merchandising and milling, the dry goods firm being known as Cottrell, Irvine & Co., and the milling firm as Scott, Boyd & Co. In 1883 Mr. Cottrell bought the store, and Mr. Irvine and Mr. Scott bought Mr. Boyd’s and Mr. Cottrell’s interest in the mill, and from that time until the present the firm has been known as Irvine & Scott. For the past thirty years Mr. Irvine has been one of Weakley County’s enterprising business men. He is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for James Buchanan. In 1876 he was elected trustee of Weakley County, and served in that capacity two years. He is a member of the Masonic, I. O. O. F., K. of H. and A. O. U. W. fraternities, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

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This family biography is one of 108 biographies included in The History of Weakley County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Weakley 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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