Marshall County Alabama Genealogy

Marshall County was created by an act of the legislature January 9, 1836. Its original territory was taken from Jackson, Blount and the last Cherokee cession. It has been greatly reduced in size to form Etowah County but compensated by a small strip from Jackson County. It has a total area of 610 square miles, or 390,400 acres. The county was named “to perpetuate” the name of Chief Justice John Marshall. The county has a total area of 623 miles, and a population of 82,231 as of the 2000 census.

The first inhabitants of the county were Cherokees, who had a village at Guntersville, as early as 1790, which they called Kusa-nunnahi, meaning “Creek Path,” because it was situated near the great passage leading from the Creek country in middle Alabama to the hunting grounds in the valleys of the Tennessee, the Cumberland and Ohio River.

The county was first settled by immigrants from Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Upon the formation of the county in 1836, Claysville, a small village north of the Tennessee River, became the county seat by popular election, though more votes were cast for the place now known as Guntersville. In 1838 Marshall, became the county site, and continued as such until 1841, when in a general election Warrenton was chosen; in 1848 Guntersville was successful and has remained the county site ever since.

Marshall County Alabama Genealogy Research:

This website has undergone a complete conversion. I hope you find the new format easier to get around with! To access the various pages (which have been updated and corrected) please use the links to the right of every page.

The goal of this website is to freely provide you with as much genealogical and historical information concerning Madison County, Alabama as is practical. Since I do not reside in the county, I cannot provide onsite genealogical assistance, but can provide guidance and online assistance to your genealogical research. If you don’t ask a question then I definitely cannot help you… so please ask!

Last Updated: Apr 21, 2023 @ 5:14 pm

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Madison County Alabama

Rudolph Hill Cemetery, Gordonsville, Alabama

This is a transcription of the gravestones found in the Rudolph Hill Cemetery in Gordonsville, Alabama.

Biography of William L. Schieffelin

The 1893 article outlines the life and work of William L. Schieffelin, a dedicated citizen and tax assessor of Baldwin County, Alabama. Known for his business acumen, Schieffelin contributed significantly to his community through his successful general merchandise store and tenure as tax assessor.

Biography of William H. Gasque

The 1893 article chronicles the life of William H. Gasque, a dedicated public servant and probate judge in Baldwin County, Alabama. With his extensive service in court and legislative roles, Gasque significantly contributed to the county’s progress, successfully mitigating its debt, and improving infrastructure through personal efforts.

Biography of T. G. McGowan

T. G. McGowan, born in 1832 in Ireland, became a respected planter and county commissioner in Baldwin County, Alabama. He served in the Fifteenth Alabama cavalry during the Civil War and later became a successful farmer and stock grower. He also served as a local preacher in the Methodist church.

Biography of Spencer Sharp

Spencer Sharp, born 1809 in Virginia, was a pioneering horticulturist in Alabama, known for his ground-breaking work in orange culture. Despite initial challenges, his patience led to substantial rewards, securing his legacy in Alabama’s agricultural history.

Biography of Samuel K. Reynolds

Samuel K. Reynolds, born 1836 in Philadelphia, was a highly esteemed physician and surgeon in Baldwin County, Alabama. After initially practicing in Philadelphia and Europe, he moved to Alabama in 1859. During the Civil War, Reynolds provided medical services to Catholic institutions in Mobile, and continued his private practice post-war.