My Genealogy Hound

John M. Williams, son of Daniel Williams, was born July 2, 1845, in the town of Versailles. With his father he moved to the farm in 1859, and there lived until the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Fourth Missouri Confederate Cavalry, commanded by Col. John G. Burbridge, in Clark’s brigade and Marmaduke’s division, serving three years, and participating in Price’s raid. He was at the fights of Mine Creek, Kas., Glasgow, Lexington, Big Blue, Newtonia, Mo., and Fayetteville, Ark. After Lee’s surrender they went into Shreveport and laid down their arms, and got their parole from Gen. Canby, who had command of that port for the United States army, taking the transports for New Orleans, where they were reshipped for St. Louis, arriving at home the 21st day of July, 1865. Returning to the farm, he staid with his father until 1868, when he was married to Miss Hannah Ranschelback, daughter of Ferdinand Ranschelback, a native of Prussia, who came to this country at the age of fifteen with his father, Ferdinand, of Prussia. After marriage Mr. Williams settled on a place given him adjoining the homestead, where he continued to reside until his father’s death, which occurred in 1881. Then, selling out that farm, he bought 120 acres one-half mile southwest of Barnett, in Morgan County, where he continued to reside for a number of years. Selling out in 1886, he bought 100 acres of his brother, O. A., near Akinsville, where he now resides. Mr. Williams is a Democrat in politics, and held the office of deputy sheriff of the county for four years, during the administration of W. H. Kavanaugh. During Mr. Williams’ married life he and wife have become the parents of eleven children, six boys and five girls, eight of whom are living, having lost three in childhood. Those now living are: Alpha, Laura, Emma, John, Effie, Richard, Lina, and Robert Emmett, all at home.