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

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Thomas A. Williams, justice of the peace, was born in Joachim Township, Jefferson County, November 25, 1831. His parents were Silas and Nancy (Adams) Williams, pioneers of Jefferson County, the former of whom died July 17, 1853, and the latter in March, 1886. Thomas A. Williams was brought up on the farm, and his education was obtained in the log schoolhouse. When a young man he learned the carpenter’s trade, and was engaged in building bridges and houses for eight or ten years. He also worked several years at the stone mason’s trade with his father. During the late war he enlisted for service in Company A, Thirty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, but after a few months was discharged for disability. He served as deputy sheriff of Jefferson three years, and has filled the office of justice of the peace for the past six years, of which office he is the present incumbent. He also served as constable two years. May 27, 1852, he married Permelia Beckett, daughter of Ephraim Beckett. They have had six children, viz.: Amanda (deceased) was married to Charles E. Turner, of St. Louis, and left two children: Joseph and Edward; Ephraim married Sarah Fultz, is a resident of Monroe County, Ill., and has one child, Thomas; Esther became the wife of William Haven, of St. Louis, and is the mother of two children: Walter and Bertie; Robert, married, resides in Montrose, Iowa, and has one child, Nellie; and Kate and Sallie are single. Mrs. Williams died August 11, 1873, and September 2, 1874, Mr. Williams married Mary A. Lee, daughter of Archilles Lee. One child, deceased, was born to this union. In addition to his farm and office work Mr. Williams carries the mail from Victoria to Plattin.

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This family biography is one of 224 biographies included in The History of Jefferson County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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