Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 165

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Mississippi > Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II > Part 165

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

with his parents to Tuscaloosa county, Ala., and at the age of sixteen years located in Pickens county, where he remained until after his marriage in 1832 to Miss Jane Slaughter. In 1836 he located in Neshoba county, Miss., and there reared his family. When he first settled in the county the nearest mill was in Winston county, twenty-five miles from his home, and he had to pay $2.50 per bushel for corn. Game of almost every kind abounded, and the people had little trouble in providing a plentiful table. Mr. Williams was but a child when his parents died, and he was reared by strangers, never seeing a blood relative from the time he was six until twenty-six years of age. He was an ener- getic man, and before the war had accumulated considerable property. Both himself and wife are still living and are in comfortable circumstances.

Merritt Williams was born in Scott county, Ky., on the 24th of August, 1841, being the seventh of eight children born to Miner B. R. and Mary C. (Viley) Williams, who were also born on bluegrass soil. They continued to make their home in Kentucky until 1853, when they removed to Missouri, where they continued to reside until Mr. Williams' death, which occurred in St. Louis in 1870, his life having been devoted to the occupation of planting. His parents, Charles P. and Elizabeth (Reed) Williams, came from England in the early his- tory of the colonies and settled in Maryland. George Viley, the mother's father, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and was a native of Maryland. Merritt Williams was reared in Ken- tucky and Missouri, and while attending William Jewell college, of Clay county, Mo., the war opened and he dropped his books to take up arms in defense of the Confederacy, enlist- ing, in 1861, in company F, Third Missouri regiment, participating in the battles of Lexing- ton, Springfield, Pea Ridge and both battles of Corinth, in fact was in all the engagements that occurred in Mississippi. At the time of Lee's surrender he was at home on furlough, so he immediately began tilling the soil on the plantation on which he is now residing on Lake Washington. Like numerous others at the close of the war, he began life anew with some land but no means whatever of working it, for all his slaves were emancipated and help was hard to obtain. By honest industry he has acquired his present large property, and he now has land to the amount of seven thousand four hundred acres, one thousand two hundred acres being in Louisiana and the rest in Washington county, Miss. Besides this valuable property he owns real estate in Superior, Wis., valued at $40,000. By his own efforts he has opened up about one thousand two hundred and fifty acres of land, and on his place has put about $40,000 worth of improvements, erecting his present elegant home in 1885. On account of the flooding of the Mississippi river one thousand eight hundred acres of his land were washed away. On account of the continual caving in of the land on the river, near where his residence stood, he was forced either to move it or eventually lose it, so he took the initiative and moved it to its present site, which is a most beautiful one. His residence is beautifully fitted up with furniture that was hauled in wagons years ago from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and in this typical Southern mansion is extended a hospitality for which those of Kentucky birth alone are noted. He was married in 1876 to Mrs. Irene Bullitt, a native of Mississippi and a daughter of Austin and Caroline (Ruth) Williams, of Natchez. His bridal tour was a trip to Mississippi in a two-wheeled rockaway or gig. Mr. Williams has one stepdaughter, Fannie Bullitt, and one son, Charles P. Williams, the latter of whom is now attending school in England, the daughter being the wife of Dunbar Marshall and a resident of Boston, Mass. Mr. Williams has always taken great interest in his children and has spared no pains to give them all the educational advantages possible. His wife is an earnest member of the Christian church and is a cultured and refined lady. Mr. Williams has been a member of the levee board for several years.

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Nehemiah Williams, of Summit, was born in Pike county, Miss., August 25, 1814. He is the eldest of four children born to Reuben and Elinder (Waldin) Williams, natives of South Carolina. His father came to Mississippi in the pioneer days and was one of the earliest settlers here. He died in 1817. Mr. Williams was born within a mile of his present home, to which he removed with his parents when he was but six months old, and where he has lived continuously ever since, being now seventy-seven years of age. He is one of the oldest men of the county who were born here. He is a well-to-do planter, owning six liun- dred acres of land, one hundred of which are cultivated. He served a short time in the Con- federate army during the Civil war. He was married in 1837 to Miss Mary A. Hart, who is still living, being now seventy-four years of age. She is a daughter of James Hart, a native of South Carolina, who has borne her husband seven children: Jackson, Martha, James, Isaacher, Robert, Haseltina and William. Mr. Williams and his family are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Williams has been for forty years connected with the Masonic fraternity. He has always been an active, industrious man, and even at his present advanced age he does a great deal of work on his plantation, frequently boasting that he can accomplish about as much work now as he could in his younger days. He enjoys in an emi- nent degree the respect of his fellow-citizens of all classes.

R. P. Williams is noted as one of the most capable members of the bar in Lauderdale county, Miss., for he has been eminently successful in practice and is known as a conservative and prudent counselor, whose advice can safely be relied upon. He is a member of the firm of McIntosh, Williams & Russell, which has an excellent reputation in legal circles. He was born in Chickasaw county, of this state, April 14, 1857, a son of Dr. U. S. Williams, who was a Kentuckian, and at an early date became a resident of Mississippi, becoming one of the earliest settlers and finest medical practitioners of Chickasaw county. He was a graduate of the med- ical college of Philadelphia, Penn., but gave up the practice of his profession before the war. Of six sons born to him the subject of this sketch is third to the youngest. He was brought up in his native county and received his initiatory training at the Gathright school, after- ward graduating from Emory and Henry college of Virginia, in 1878. He afterward entered the law department of the University of St. Louis, graduating in 1881, after which he entered upon his practice in Nebraska. Eighteen months later, or in 1882, he returned to Missis- sippi and located in Okolona, where he formed a partnership with Col. J. R. McIntosh, which was continued harmoniously and profitably until the latter's removal to Meridian in 1884, to which city Mr. Williams also came the ensuing year. The firm of Woods, McIntosh & Will- iams was then organized and continued until 1887, when Woods & Williams continued alone the following year. Mr. Woods was then called to the supreme bench and the present partnership was formed. In 1889 Mr. Williams was elected city attorney and was re-elected in 1891. He is an able lawyer and he has every reason to be proud of the practice he has gained. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., and has passed all the chairs in the last named fraternity. December 13, 1883, he was married to Miss Alice, daughter of Col. J. R. McIntosh, and by her is the father of two children: Robert S., and Thomas W. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a stockholder and director of the First National bank, a stockholder and director in the Meridian Land and Industrial company, a stockholder and director in the Meridian Fair and Exposition associa- tion, besides owning stock in numerous other enterprises.

S. B. Williams, senior member of the mercantile firm of Williams & Elliott, of Magnolia, is a Mississippian in everything except nativity. He was born in Connorsville, Ind., October 4, 1841. He is a son of John Williams, who was a native of Kentucky, but who removed to

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

Indiana when a young man, and there met and married Ada N. Reid, a native of South Car- olina, who had come to Indiana with her parents. In 1842 John Williams moved to Mis- sissippi, locating in Amite county, where he lived until 1860, when they removed to Pike county, and settled on a plantation near Summit, where Mrs. Williams died in 1867, at the age of sixty-five years. Soon after his wife's death, Mr. Williams retired from the life of a planter, and took up his residence in Summit, where he died in 1887. S. B. Williams is the seventh child in order of birth, in a family of five sons and three daughters, born to John and Ada (Reid) Williams. He was a diligent attendant at the public schools until in his seven- teenth year, when he entered upon a course of study at Franklin college, at Franklin, Ind: His studies were interrupted by the outbreaking of the Civil war, which necessitated his leav- ing college and returning home. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service, as a mem- ber of company D, of the Tenth regiment of Mississippi volunteers. He participated in engagements at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Franklin, Mumfordsville, Nashville, Jonesboro and in several minor battles and skirmishes. At the battle of Mur- freesboro he was severely wounded, a fragment of shell striking him in the face. He served until the close of the war, at which time he had attained to the position of second lieuten- ant of the company. Returning to Mississippi, he became a teacher in the public school, and later he began the study of medicine. He attended lectures at the New Orleans School of Medicine, and when about to graduate, turned his attention to the mercantile pursuits, accepting a position as salesman and bookkeeper. In 1883 he established himself in the mercantile business at Magnolia. In 1887 J. W. Elliott, his brother-in-law, became asso- ciated with him in the business, and the firm has since been known as Williams & Elliott. Mr. Williams was obliged to begin business on a small scale, with a very limited capital, but by good management and close attention to all of the details of his enterprise he has placed it among the leading mercantile concerns in this part of the state. In 1886 Mr. Williams was married to Miss Eliza J. Elliott, a daughter of Wiley and Caroline E. Elliott. Only one child has been born to them, a daughter, who died in infancy. For many years Mr. Will- iams served as a member of the board of aldermen of Magnolia. At present he occupies the office of secretary and treasurer of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are recognized as among the leaders of society in their present place or residence. Their home is one of the most hospitable, and they are universally respected. Mrs. Williams is a constant member of the Baptist church. Mr. Williams is interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare and he has probably done as much for the upbuilding of his city as any one man thereabout.

Dr. Sidney H. Williams, physician, Carthage, Miss. Rev. John P. Williams, a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, was born in Tennessee in 1818, and in 1839 removed to Mississippi, locating in Leake county. He was a man of education, and was one of the pioneer preachers of Leake and adjoining counties. He was also engaged in farming. He came to Mississippi when a young man, and was married in Leake county to Miss Elizabeth Boyd, daughter of Hon. John P. Boyd, one of the pioneers of Leake county. Rev. Williams made his home in Leake county, reared his family there, and there his death occurred about 1881. His wife died several years previous (1872). Dr. Sidney H Williams was one of a family of four sons and three daughters born to the above mentioned union, all of whom grew to mature years. The eldest brother, D. F., was a soldier in the Confederate army, and died in 1863, while in service. Finis E., the second son, is the proprietor of the Arlington hotel, at Carthage. He married Miss M. A. Jordan, daughter of Isaac Jordan, and a sister of John L. Jordan, Sr., of an old and prominent family. To this union were born seven children. Dr. Sidney H. was the third in order of birth. J. D., the fourth son, is a merchant at Car-

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

thage. There is only one sister living, Mrs. E. H. Jones, wife of E. H. Jones, deputy sheriff of Leake county. Dr. Sidney H. Williams reached years of discretion in his native county (Leake), and received a good English education in that and Attala county. He then studied medicine at Carthage with Drs. Plunket and Ward, and took his first course of lectures in the medical college at Mobile, Ala., in the class of 1874-5. Dr. Williams then began practicing in Leake county, continued there a short time, and in 1878 he returned to Mobile, where he took his second course, graduating in the class of 1879. He then returned to Leake county, and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1883 he moved to Carthage, and has prac- ticed his profession there since. His patronage has been constantly growing, and he is counted among the successful professional men of the county. Although he started a poor man, he has met with success, and is in very comfortable circumstances. He is a man of superior character, pleasant and agreeable, and has many warm personal friends. In 1889 the Doctor formed a partnership with Dr. B. B. Ward (see sketch), and has continued the practice with him. Both these gentlemen are prominent and successful physicians. They have recently also engaged in the drug business. Dr. Williams was married in Carthage December 23, 1876, to Miss Hattie Allen, daughter of J. E. Allen, one of the pioneers of Leake county, and one of the esteemed citizens of Carthage. Mrs. Williams died in April, 1890, leaving five children: Alice E. (a young lady), John E., Albert F., Sidney H. and Allen B. Dr. Williams is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, is examining physician for the lodge, and also for the New York Life Insurance company. He is secretary of Leake County Medical association.

Dr. Uriah S. Williams is a well-known physician of this county, but in addition to suc- cessfully looking after his extended practice he is also engaged in merchandising and plant- ing, being quite successful in all three occupations. He was born in Pulaski county, Ky., in 1812, a son of Smith and Sarah Williams, who were born, reared and married in the Old North state, the maiden name of the latter being Ashbrook. To their union eight children were born, of whom is living Sarah (De Hoof), of Somerset, Ky. His father died while a resident of the Blue Grass state in 1846, the mother's death occurring some two years later, both having been worthy members of the Baptist church, in which he was a deacon for some time. Dr. Uriah S. Williams was educated in the schools of Pulaski county, Ky., but his medical education was obtained in Transylvania university, of Lexington, Ky., from which institution he graduated in 1837. His career while there was marked by earnest application and rapid advancement, so that upon leaving that college he was well calculated to enter at once upon a successful career as a medical practitioner. After practicing two years in Ken- tucky he came to Houston, Chickasaw county, Miss., at which place he followed his calling successfully for about five years. At the end of this time he came to Buena Vista, and in 1846 built the first house where the town now stands. He was the first postmaster of the place, chosen the same year, and discharged the duties of this position for some fourteen years. He has a good general mercantile establishment in Buena Vista, but gives much of his attention to planting also. Although he has almost reached the eightieth milestone of his life and is somewhat feeble physically, his mind is as clear and active as in days of yore, and being well posted on all the topics of the day, and possessing original and practical views, his counsel and advice is often asked by those who know him. He was married in 1844 to Miss Martha B. Pulliam, of Houston, by whom he has eight children, the names of those living being as follows: John C., Homer L., Robert P., U. S., Jr., Charles B. and Dixie. Dr. Williams is a member of the Presbyterian church.

W. B. Williams, a planter of Strong's station, Miss., was born in Alabama on October

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BIOGRAPHICAL, AND HISTORICAL

5, 1844, a son of Moses and Mary (Smith) Williams, both of whom are natives of Alabama, the former born in February, 1822, in Jefferson county, the son of Lightfoot Barton Williams, a Georgia planter, who, though not a politician, was prominent in his state. Moses Williams received his common English education in Pickens county, and as soon as he attained to manhood engaged in farming. He was married in 1841 to Mary Smith, a native of Pickens county, Ala., by whom he had two children, of whom W. B. Williams was the eldest, the other, Mary Vernon, becoming the wife of John Appling, of Le Flore county, Miss. The mother died in 1847, having lived a consistent Christian life, and having been for years a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Williams married a second time, in 1848, Mary Hollimar, of Pickens county, Ala., becoming his wife, and bearing him one child, Thomas A. Williams, now a planter of Monroe county, Miss. She died in 1850. In 1858 Mr. Williams again married, this time to Mrs. Sarah R. Coker. The union resulted in the birth of five children: Fannie H., Myrtle L. (who married Cary Tucker, and has died), Henry N. (now residing in east Tennessee), Matthew and Moses. Eugene lives in Birming- ham, Ala. Moses Williams, Sr., died in February, 1888. He had long been a member and was for some time a deacon in the Baptist church. He was a member of the Vinton lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Palo Alto chapter, R. A. M. He was a democrat in politics, but never sought nor accepted office. W. B. Williams entered the army at the age of sixteen, thereby losing all the opportunities he might otherwise have possessed of acquiring an education. He joined company C, of the Second Mississippi battalion, in 1861, and served until 1864, when he was severely wounded, after which, though he remained in the service, he took no active part in it. He took part in the battles of Yorktown, Seven Pines, Cold Harbor, Gaines' farm, Malvern Hill, Manassas Junction, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Locust Grove and Spottsylvania Court- house. The wound mentioned above he received at Sharpsburg, and he received two severe wounds at Spottsylvania Courthouse. He was paroled at Columbus, Miss., in May, 1865, and returning home was married in the following year to Miss Eliza Burrett, a daughter of James and Mary (Davis) Burrett, of Monroe county, Miss. He has five children living and has lost two by death. Those living are named Thomas B., Mary V. (wife of P. W. Strong, of Strong's station), John M., Moses and Eliza. The names of those who died are Julia and Edwin. Mr. Williams is a member of Vinton lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been senior warden for a number of years. He is a member of the Baptist church and is superintendent of the Sunday-school at Pain's chapel, while his wife is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a modest, unassuming man of sound judgment, pro- gressive, public-spirited, eminently sensible, and very highly esteemed by all who knew him. He is a true citizen in all that the words imply, a zealous worker in the church and gen- erous and indulgent husband and father.

Dr. William G. Williams, one of the leading and prominent citizens of Claiborne county, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., July 17, 1814, a son of William Williams, a native of New York, who married Miss Mary Dorsey, who was born near Richmond, Va. Of this union two sons were born: George W. and the subject of this biography. The former graduated in medicine from Transylvania university, Lexington, Ky., in 1844, after which he went West and practiced his profession until his death, which occurred in Sacramento, Cal., in 1855. Dr. William G. Williams also graduated in medicine from Transylvania university, in 1835, and in June, 1836, came to Rodney, Miss., where he was in the active practice of his profession until 1861. He continued to make his home in Rodney until November, 1868, when he was united in marriage to Mrs. Catharine S. Daniell, nee Freeland.

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

After his marriage the Doctor removed to the Bethel neighborhood, where he has since made his home, his time and attention being given to planting. In 1860 he made the race for the legislature as a Union man (this being in Jefferson county), but was defeated by nine votes. He is conservative in all his views, and although not a member, is a strong supporter and a prime mover of the Farmers' Alliance. His leading characteristics are extreme frankness, integrity, honesty of purpose and indomitable will, and as he is free from selfishness he is ever ready to sacrifice his own convenience to give comfort and pleasure to others. He is highly esteemed in social life. He is an able newspaper correspondent, and as his style is smooth, eloquent and convincing, weight and power accompany the articles he has contrib- uted to the press. His wife, who was formerly Miss Catharine Freeland, was born in Clai- borne county in 1830, and was educated in the Bishop Elliott school of Georgia. She was married in 1839 to Smith C. Daniell, of Mississippi, a native of Claiborne county, who received his education in that admirable institution of learning, Oakland college, from which he grad- uated, later graduating from the law department of the University of Virginia. Being a very extensive landholder, his planting interests occupied his time to the exclusion of the law. He died in 1861, leaving a large estate. The palatial residence which he erected on what is now the Windsor plantation was planned by the architect, David Shroeder, and was erected at a cost of $140,000. This magnificent home, together with the library and all else it contained, was consumed by fire in February, 1891. During the war this place was used as a hospital for General Grant's army, and over thirty deaths occurred in the house, out of some four hundred men that were quartered there. A part of General Grant's army stayed all night in the house and on the grounds, the dead being buried on the place, but were afterward moved to Vicksburg.

Hon. C. M. Williamson, attorney at law of Jackson, Miss., was born in Marshall county, this state, in the year 1856, being the eldest of three children born to A. S. and Mary -(Meek) Williamson, both of whom were born in the Palmetto state. A. S. Williamson settled in Panola county upon first coming to Mississippi, but afterward located in Marshall county, where he remained for some time, then returned to Panola county, where he resided until the year of his death, 1869. His wife died in 1862, both being earnest members of the Presby - terian church at the time of their deaths. The father was an extensive planter, was an active man of his day, and wherever known was highly esteemed. He was twice married, the first time in South Carolina, and by this wife became the father of three sons and a daughter, all his sons serving in the Confederate army during the Civil war, two of whom held the rank of captain and were in many hard-fought and bloody battles. C. M. Williamson was educated in the state university of Mississippi, graduating in the literary department in 1875, after which he taught school for two years, during which time he also read law during his leisure moments, and in December, 1877, was licensed as a lawyer by the supreme court, after which he at once entered upon his practice at Raymond. Here he remained successfully and profita- bly employed until 1887, when he moved to Jackson, which city has since been his home, and where he has built up an excellent reputation as a legal practitioner. He is an attorney for the British and American Mortgage company, and is successful and promising in his calling. He has been quite active in politics, and was for two years the efficient and popular mayor of Raymond. He was a member of the house of representatives in 1886, and of the state senate in 1888, during which time he was one of the authors of the local option bill, and made a faithful, intelligent and incorruptible legislator. He has been re-elected to the state senate. He is in good financial circumstances and is one of the stockholders of the Jackson Grocery company. In 1887 he married Miss Mamie Robinson, of Jackson, Miss., daughter of John

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 165

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314