My Genealogy Hound

M. A. Williams, merchant, Chismville, Ark. Mr. Williams, one of the successful business men of the place, has acquired a wide reputation for perseverance and general business ability. He is a native of Johnson County, Ark., born December 7, 1845, and is a son of William and Elizabeth J. (Belue) Williams, both natives of Tennessee, the father born January 8, 1814. The latter has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and made his home in Tennessee until 1833, when he came to Johnson County, Ark., settling on Horsehead Creek. Here he was married, and of the eleven children born to that union M. A. Williams is the eldest son now living. The children now living are named as follows: M. A., W. H., O. H., Amanda V. (wife of D. H. Wilburn, a planter of this county), Nancy L. T. (wife of J. A. Doran, a planter living in this county), and Sarah A. (wife of L. W. Parker, is also a resident of this county). Their children deceased were as follows: Twins (unnamed), John V., Squire B. and Alda B. The father is living on a farm two miles from this place, and is a prominent member of the Baptist Church. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and is now drawing a pension. During the Civil War he was in the Home Guards for the Confederate Government for six months. M. A. Williams was principally reared on a farm, and secured a common business education in the schools of the county. He was married October 4, 1869, to Miss Georgianna E. Stanley, a native of Alabama, born July 31, 1849, and the daughter of George W. C. Stanley. Mr. Williams was a soldier in the late war, enlisting October 13, 1863, in Company I, Second Arkansas Cavalry, and served until 1865, when he was discharged at La Grange, Tenn. Returning home after the war he engaged in tilling the soil, and this continued until 1878, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits at Chismville. This he has carried on ever since, and has met with flattering results. His stock of goods is valued at $8,000, and aside from this he is the owner of 530 acres of land, with 175 acres under cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic order, Six Mile Lodge No. 226. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Christian Church.