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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Hon. Joseph S. Williams, in his journalistic enterprises, as well as in the capacity of citizen, is popular and much respected hereabouts. He is the editor of the Head Light, published at Sheridan, Grant County, and is the son of Dr. W. W. Williams, his birth occurring February 21, 1844, in Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. Dr. W. W. Williams was a native of North Carolina, where he was educated, afterward marrying Elizabeth B. Harvey, also of North Carolina origin, and a near relative of a former Governor of that State. They moved at an early day to Tennessee, locating first in Hardeman County, where Dr. Williams practiced medicine and later was licensed and admitted to the ministry, and after a short time moved to Fayette County, which was his home till his death, in 1847. He was a local preacher for a number of years, and also a large plantation and slave owner. Joseph S. and his mother moved to Arkansas in 1855, and after a two years’ residence in Independence County located in Dallas County, where he remained until grown to manhood, receiving a good education from the best schools of the State. In 1861 he enlisted in the regular Confederate army at Lynchburg, Va., in the Third Arkansas Infantry, and served as private, but was afterward promoted to sergeant-major, and served as such till the close of the war. He surrendered at Appomattox Court House with Lee April 9, 1865, and was one of seven remaining of the original company of 117. Thrilling experiences were passed through during his participation in the battles of Cheat Mountain, the seven-days’ fight around Richmond (Va.), Sharpsburg (where he was wounded through the left leg), Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Suffolk and many other engagements. After the close of the war Mr. Williams returned to Arkansas and taught school in Hot Springs for ten years, and in 1874 commenced the study of law. In 1876 he was elected representative of Hot Spring County in the legislature, and served one term with honorable distinction. In 1880 he was elected State senator to represent the Ninth senatorial district (embracing Hot Spring, Grant and Saline Counties). In 1877, after a thorough examination, he was admitted to the bar and practiced in Hot Springs until 1882, then moving to Grant County, where he has since followed his profession with gratifying success. He is editor of the Head Light, which he purchased in company with S. D. Reese, an old citizen and sheriff of the county, but after a time Mr. Williams bought out Mr. Reese’s interest in the paper and also changed the name from the Sheridan Spy to the title it now has. The Colonel’s first wife was Miss Mattie Seay, a native of Montgomery County, Ark., and who afterward died in Hot Springs, Ark. Of this marriage there are four children. His present wife was formerly Mrs. Mary L. Mabis, a widow, and an estimable lady. She was reared and educated in this State and Alabama. Mr. Williams is District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic district of Arkansas, and besides having acted as Master of his lodge, has held other positions in this order. In 1872 he was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which himself and his estimable wife are devoted members. It is scarcely necessary to add that Mr. Williams is a man of extended acquaintance and counts his friends by the score. If he has any enemies they are very few. He is a generous contributor to all enterprises worthy of support, and a zealous worker in affairs that betoken the good or growth of the county, deeming it a rare privilege to be of help in any particular to matters deserving promotion.

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This family biography is one of 68 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Grant County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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