My Genealogy Hound

Thomas J. Williams, chancery court clerk, was born in Chatham County, N. C., January 17, 1829, the youngest of eight children born to the marriage of Eli Williams and Chloe Collins. The former is of Welsh descent, born in Virginia and the latter is of Irish extraction and born in North Carolina. When Thomas J. was an infant of twelve months old his parents removed with him to Henderson County, Tenn., where he was reared a farmer’s boy and received the advantages of the old field schools. After attaining his twenty-first birthday he began clerking in. a country store, remaining three years, at which time he engaged in the business in company with his brothers, Wilson and Green, and continued four years. In the meantime Wilson Williams died. Thomas J. retired from the business January 1, 1858, and in the fall of that year began buying cotton and produce at Humboldt and the following spring began handling a line of general groceries in company with J. A. Shane, now of Memphis. This connection lasted one year. In February, 1862, Mr. Williams was appointed agent of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad (then known as the Mobile & Ohio) and held the position until the road was evacuated. In March, 1866, he took the same position and held it for two years. In June, 1869, he was appointed chancery court clerk at Humboldt and yet holds the position. He has been justice of the peace and notary public for sixteen years and has been an active politician in the Democratic ranks. He is a member of the K. of H., K. & L. of H. and K. of G. R. November 11, 1852, Martha R. Cole became his wife. She was born October 2, 1832, daughter of Samuel F. and Olive (Walker) Cole, both of North Carolina and of Irish extraction. The following are the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams: Chippie, Wilson, Cora O., Florence (deceased), Samuel C. and Lily Pearl. Husband and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.