My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Barry County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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.

* * * *

Enoch Williams is a Kentuckian, born in Simpson County in 1835, and is a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Hufhines) Williams, who were also natives of the “Blue Grass State.” There they were married, and in 1837, with their family of seven children started for Missouri, which they reached in December of that year, and located in what is now Stone County. They took a government claim of 120 acres, which was heavily covered with timber, and here they made their home. Here he built a saw and grist mill, operated a cotton gin, a powder and still house, a tan-yard and blacksmith shop, and was sole proprietor of them all. He sold out in 1855, and engaged in farming until his death; he died in 1858, aged sixty-five years. He was twice married, and was the father of five children by his first wife. After her death he married Miss Hufhines, who bore him six children, and died in McDonald County in 1884. He was one of the first judges of Taney County (now Stone County). Enoch Williams was reared in Barry County, and received but a meager education, as there were no public schools at that day in Missouri. He was married in 1858, and in 1866 located on his present farm of 220 acres. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy A. Neill, has borne him thirteen children, ten living: Susan E. (wife of Thomas Bassett), John D., Isaac H., William L., James T., Almon M., Emeline, Tillie, Ella and Charley. Mrs. Williams was born in Hamilton County, Tenn., December 11, 1840, and came to Missouri about 1851 with her parents, locating in Barry County. She was a daughter of Peter and Susan Keill, who were natives of Tennessee. The father is dead, but the mother resides on the old home farm. Six of their eight children are living: William, Simeon, Isaac, Nancy Ann, Miranda and Frankie. Mr. Williams is a member of the Farmers Alliance.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in The History of Barry County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Barry County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Barry County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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