My Genealogy Hound

J. L. Williams. There was born to the union of James N. and Mary Ann (Springer) Williams, of South Carolina and Lauderdale County, Ala., respectively, a family of sixteen children, he whose name heads this sketch being the third child, his birth occurring in Union County, S. C, in 1842, and he is the lineal descendant of the following illustrious persons: His grandfather, Williams, although born in South Carolina, was an offspring of an old Irish family, his father coming to this countiy at an early day, and locating in the latter State, where his family is known as one of the oldest in the State, and as one of renowned musical talent. The grandfather on the mother’s side, Jonathan Springer, also of South Carolina, and a planter by occupation, came as early as 1820 to Alabama, his father being from Virginia, and his grandfather from Delaware, whose father, Carroll or Lorentz, is supposed to have founded Wilmington, this State, in 1770. The Springer family is said to be direct descendants of Charles Christopher Springer, a Swedish baron, and who is said to trace his ancestry as far back as 410 A. D., to Louis, the Pius, of France. The name of Springer, says tradition, is derived from this Louis, who, being guilty of some misdemeanor, as a punishment, was imprisoned, from which he escaped by springing or jumping from the third-story window of his prison into the lake, and his cousin, the emperor of Germany, hearing of this wonderful feat, pardoned him, and conferred upon him the name of Springer. Our subject’s father, soon after his marriage, which took place in Alabama, moved to South Carolina, where they remained for two years, thence returning to Alabama, where his son was reared and given a very limited education. Here the family continued to make their home till the death of the parents, the father departing this life August 7, 1869, and his widow surviving him till 1889. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, of the famous old Ninth Alabama Regiment, and participated in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, and was captured at the latter place, and sent to the military prison at Chicago, from which, after three months’ confinement, he was the first man to make his escape, which was largely commented upon by the press. Going by the way of Wheeling, Va., and crossing the mountains to Richmond, he returned home; subsequently returning to Virginia, joined his original company, and took part in many of the famous battles and skirmishes. Being again taken prisoner at Spottsylvania, he was held for two months, and finally sent to Elmira, N. Y., where he escaped by way of a tunnel, which he assisted in digging. On regaining his home, after the close of the Rebellion, he engaged in trading, earning enough to enable him to take a course of two terms in the West Point High School, of Lawrence County, Tenn., and to enter Shoal Creek Academy, of Giles County, same State, and on completion of his studies, engaged in teaching, after which he farmed in Alabama for a few years, and in 1873 started the store of general merchandise at Lexington, and known as the firm of Dobbins, Black & Co. In 1875 the firm dissolved, and he again taught school, and for eighteen months served as clerk of public works, on Mussel Shoals canal, and it was while here employed that he saw the notorious outlaws, Jesse and Frank James, who robbed the canal company. In 1882 he came to Prairie Township, where he purchased 202 1/2 acres, on which he has made good improvements. On September 21, 1869, he led Miss Emma S. Skipworth (daughter of John W. Skipworth, a prominent planter, trader and capitalist, of Russellville, Ky.) to the altar, and to them have been born five sons and three daughters: John Henry, James Turner, Lona, Bennie Taylor, Thomas Jefferson, Robert A., Cora Lee and Lula Madora, and on February 20, 1890, were called to mourn the loss of this most excellent mother, who was an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Her husband was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and since his residence in this county has been an aggressive politician of the Democratic party, and in 1890, being the candidate on the Democratic ticket to the Lower House of the General Assembly, received the nomination by 600 or 800 majority.