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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lauderdale 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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Blair Pierson, chairman of the county court, was born June 29, 1858, in Lauderdale County, and in the house in which he is at present living. His parents, John F. and Susan E. (Lee) Pierson, were born in Connecticut and Virginia, respectively, the father in 1810 and the mother in 1829. They both came to this county when young, and were married in 1849. To them were born eight children, five of whom are now living. In politics the father was a Whig before the death of that party, and after that event he has never affiliated with any party. By profession he was a lawyer, practicing his profession in Ripley about twenty years. He died in 1878, and in his death the family lost a kind and loving father, and the bar an able member. The mother lived till 1881. Our subject is of Scotch-Irish descent. He was born in Ripley and received the greater part of his early education at that place. In 1873 he entered the University of Tennessee, where he completed his education. He then began farming and continued this occupation about five years, after which he taught school for a short time. He then engaged in the mercantile business in Ripley. In 1881 he opened a livery stable in partnership with T. P. Ferguson, and is engaged in that business at the present. In 1880 he wedded Ella E. Jones, and to this union were born two children: John E. and Lucy A. Mr. Pierson is a Democrat in politics, and has been elected to the office of magistrate a number of times. In October, 1882, he was chosen chairman of the county court. When but twenty years of age he was elected mayor of the town, and ever since has served the people in some place of public trust. He is also recorder of the town, and is a young man well known and highly respected. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian.

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This family biography is one of 116 biographies included in the book,  The History of Lauderdale County, Tennessee published in 1886 by Goodspeed.  The History of Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, Tennessee family biographies here: Lauderdale County, Tennessee

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