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Below is a family biography included in The History of Wilson 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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J. M. RICE, an enterprising farmer, was born September 19, 1859, in Rutherford County, Tenn., and is one of a family of eight children, born to J. H. and T. A. (Welsh) Rice. The father was born June, 1837, in Wilson County, Tenn., and was a merchant, which occupation he followed for twenty-five years. About this time he felt a strong desire to preach the gospel, which inclination he followed. At the same time he carried on the merchandising business. The mother was born in April, 1838, in Wilson County, Tenn., and is the daughter of Mitchell Welsh. Our subject was reared in Rutherford County, and received a good practical education in the country schools. February 9, 1882, he led to the altar Jeffella Brett, a native of Wilson County, born May 16, 1862, and the daughter of Alexander Brett. Our subject and wife’s married life was happily blessed by the birth of one child, Clide Alexander. Mr. Rice is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Rice is a member of the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Wilson County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Wilson County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

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