My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington 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.

* * * *

Alfred L. Williams. The subject of this brief biography belongs to that enterprising class of men who have done so much toward building up the present commercial standing of this thriving city of Fayetteville, and who in their breadth of citizenship have extended material and substantial aid to its social and moral status. He is a native “to the manor born,” and comes of a worthy line of pioneer stock in this State from Tennessee. October 2, 1852, he was born here, the son of Thomas W. and Sarah (McGarah) Williams. The former was also a native Arkansan, being born in Washington County November 1, 1832, the son of David and Mary (Smith) Williams, who made a settlement in Washington County about 1828, and, after living worthy and exemplary lives, passed to their last rest, and lie buried under the sod of their adopted State. Thomas W., their son, prosecuted actively the vocations of farmer and dealer in live-stock, and was esteemed a very successful operator in that line. The Civil War breaking out, be entered into the spirit of it with all the fervor of a Southern patriot, and did active and honorable duty in Company K, Thirty-fourth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate service, for four years, giving up his arms, only when hope was abandoned for the cause he espoused, at Fort Smith, Ark., June, 1865. Returning from the war, with health and fortune shattered, and for a time with citizenship lost, he put his shoulder to the wheel and bent all his energies to the arts of peace in which he had been engaged previously, farming and trading and dealing in stock, till his death, which occurred July 3, 1886. He died full in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was buried with the honors of the Masonic body, of which he had been a member for over twenty years. His worthy wife, Sarah McGarah, was the daughter of William McGarah, who is reckoned as the first settler of Fayetteville. The pages of history note the connection of these families with the industrial and social life of this locality, and we forbear further comment. The subject of our sketch was the eldest in a family of six sons and eight daughters, of whom six sons and five daughters survive. He attained his manhood here, and engaged in trading and merchandising, both interests of which he has always pushed vigorously, and to his credit has made for himself a creditable success. Upon the organization of the Washington County Bank, he gave that enterprise material aid, and has held stock in it ever since. He has worked in the sheriff’s and collector’s office, and rendered effective and valuable service. He is an active member of the lodge of Masons, and a liberal contributor to all worthy objects having for their aim the general advancement of the social and industrial life of his locality. He formed a happy marital union in this county with Miss Josie, second daughter of the Hon. Hosea Maguire [see sketch elsewhere], and two bright little boys have come to bless their domestic circle: Roy Welch, born May 11, 1884, and Hosea L., born October 25, 1886. Walton A., born July 10, 1881, died June 4. 1883. Mrs. Williams is an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a lady of estimable attainments, and a co-worker in all Christian work. Her parents, the Hon. Hosea M. Maguire and Louisa (Trammel) Maguire, were pioneers of Washington County, and were reckoned among the most esteemed of this county’s citizens. The Maguires came from near Covington, Ky., and settled here in very early times. In their Kentucky home they hold kinship to the Covingtons and many other of the leading families of that section of the country. Hosea M. Maguire was a gentleman of strict integrity and honesty of purpose, and was held in high esteem by Washington County’s citizens. He held a seat in the Legislative Assembly of this fair State, and was an acknowledged leader in his party (the Democratic). He was charitable to a fault, the alma-seeker was never turned from his door without material aid and kind words of good cheer, and public interests always received a cordial support from his bountiful hand. He passed to his last rest July 23, 1888, in full communion with the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he had been a consistent member since his early manhood. He was buried by the Masons, followed by a large concourse of friends. To the posterity of this marital union of Alfred L. and Josie (Maguire) Williams will be found a correct starting point in their Arkansas genealogy for all time to come.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Washington County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.