My Genealogy Hound

J. H. Williams was reared to farm life, receiving his education in Shelby County, Tenn., and when at the age of twenty, during the outbreak of the Rebellion he joined Company B, Thirteenth Tennessee Infantry, and fought in the battles of Murfreesboro, Belmont and Shiloh, where he was struck twice by a spent ball. At Murfreesboro he was captured and sent to Camp Morton, Ind., being kept here for three months, when he was exchanged and went home. Abandoning the army for all time he commenced farming in Shelby County, Tenn., remaining here till 1869, when he moved to this county in February of that year. He then rented land in this county till 1872, when he purchased land that he cultivated till 1880, when he exchanged it for another farm. He now has 150 acres in his homestead, and is the owner of 160 acres, with ninety acres improved, in another section of the county. When Mr. Williams came to the county in 1869 he was in very poor circumstances, but by close economy and strict attention to business, backed by a superior business ability, he has in a few years accumulated considerable property. In 1869 he was married to Miss Fannie Wallace, and to them have been given six children: Iola (deceased), E. R. (at home), Vesta E., R. B. (deceased), Ethel H. (deceased) and Hubert A. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Williams is an A. F. & A. M., belonging to the Lone Star Lodge No. 375, and to the K. of H., No. 3110. He served as justice of the peace from 1874 to 1880, and in 1882 was elected county and probate judge, which office he filled, with satisfaction to all, for a term of two years.