My Genealogy Hound

Dr. W. F. Williams, physician and surgeon, Hazen, Ark. Dr. Williams is a man who is steadily and surely making his way to the front in the medical profession and as a prominent and useful citizen. He was born in Memphis, Tenn., in December, 1850, and his parents, John S. and Frances S. (Lawrence) Williams, were natives of Virginia and Memphis, Tenn., respectively. The father came to Tennessee, a single man, engaging in the drug business under the firm name of Watson & Williams, and was married in Memphis. In 1856 he came to Prairie County, Ark., settling on a farm, where he also engaged in the practice of medicine, having graduated from the Philadelphia Medical Institute some time previous. In 1862 he enlisted as surgeon in Col. Lemoin’s regiment of this State, and later consolidated into the Seventeenth Arkansas Infantry. He was transferred to the west side of the Mississippi River, was enrolling officer for several counties and was made bonding agent for Confederate script. At the close of the war he returned to Woodruff County, engaged in teaching and earned money enough to take him and his family back to Prairie County. He returned to the homestead in the winter of 1865, and resumed the practice of medicine. He was elected Secretary of the State Grange, and was Secretary pro tem, at its organization in 1872. In the year 1875, he moved to DeVall’s Bluff, Ark,, and made that his home. In 1879 he was elected Master of the State Grange. His death occurred in November, 1881. The mother died in September, 1870. The father was a member of Des Arc Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M. Dr. W. F. Williams was educated at St. Johns’ military school in Little Rock, Ark., attending four years, and then attended the Memphis Medical Institute, from which he graduated in March, 1886. After this he commenced the practice of medicine near Hickory Plains, and later went from there to Hazen, buying out Dr. G. W. Hudspeth. He takes a prominent part in politics and his vote is cast with the Democratic party. He was married in Prairie County, in 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Home, a native of Tennessee, who bore him seven children, four living: Frank, Lawrence (deceased), Joseph (attending school in Water Valley, Miss.), Sim, Anna Lou (deceased), Bessie Emma and W. F., Jr. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, Hazen Lodge, No. 561, and he and Mrs. Williams are now connected with the Presbyterian Church at Hazen, having been members of that denomination since 1867. He was elected representative to the State Medical Association and is the present Treasurer of the County Medical Society. He takes a deep interest in the temperance cause and is one of the progressive men of the county.