My Genealogy Hound

James H. Williams. The entire life of Mr. Williams has been one unmarked by any unusual occurrence outside of the chosen channels to which he has so diligently and attentively given his time and attention. A native of the State of Tennessee (born near Nashville in 1826), he has given his attention to tilling the soil, and the manner in which he has acquired his present estate denotes him to be an energetic, successful agriculturist. His early scholastic advantages were received in his native State, and, after attending the common schools, he entered a college in that State, which he attended until twenty years of age, after which he engaged in the lumber business in the city of Nashville. His wife was formerly Miss Mary E. Finley, of Lebanon, Tenn., whom he married in 1847, she being a sister of Jesse J. Finley, a United States senator from Florida. After making several annual trips to Mississippi County, Ark., he settled here in 1849, and on the first of January of the following year he took possession of a fine tract of land, comprising 480 acres, situated about four and a half miles north of Osceola. It was at that time covered by a dense canebrake, with the exception of twenty acres which were cleared, and here Mr. Williams entered actively upon his work, and his career since that time has been marked by industry and strict attention to his calling. He has 160 acres under cultivation, and in addition to this property has 160 acres of cleared land on Big Lake. In 1880 he erected a fine residence on his estate, which is now one of the pleasantest homes in this section of the country; and everything about his home indicates the enterprise and thrift which have ever characterized his efforts. He has always taken an active interest in the development and improvement of Mississippi County, and has also been quite an active politician. In 1856 he was chosen justice of his township, and in 1876 was elected to represent his county in the State legislature, having filled, since completing his term of service, the offices of school director and justice of the peace. Mr. Williams’ wife departed this life in 1858, leaving a family of four children: William F., married, to Miss Kizer; Sallie, wife of N. G. Cartwright, of Osceola; Alice, wife of F. M. Moseley, of Blythesville, and Katie, wife of Ben. H. Bacchus, a druggist of Osceola. In 1861 Mr. Williams married his second wife, Miss Nellie Heath, of Illinois, who died in 1872, leaving four children: Edward H., who is married to a Miss Dunn, of Florida, and is a merchant of Elmot; Henry E., who is superintendent of Goodrich Iron Works, belonging to James C. Warner; Zerlena W. and Maggie. Miss Mary Dunkle, of Missouri became Mr. Williams third wife, but died the third year of her marriage. He wedded his present wife in 1882, she being a Mrs. Sarah A. Dunnavant, nee Alexander, of Crockett County, Tenn., widow of Leonard Dunnavant. Mrs. Williams was the mother of three children by her first marriage, who are as follows: Robert, a pilot on the Mississippi River; Reid and Lillie, all of whom make their home with Mr. Williams. His wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he to the Presbyterian. He is also a member of Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of Osceola. He was the seventh of a family of children born to Josiah F. and Margaret (Phillips) Williams, the former a planter of Tennessee, who purchased, in 1837, a large tract of land in the southern part of Mississippi County, Ark., which he conducted for about eight years, then selling out to Mr. Lanier in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Josiah F. Williams were very fortunate in the growing-up of their children, twelve of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. The three eldest daughters married Ewings (three brothers), prominent men. The fourth daughter married Dr. Henry Whitaker; the fifth married Mr. I. C. Warner, the great “Iron King of the South;” the sixth married Mr. John A. Dunkin, a wholesale merchant, of Nashville, Tenn.; the seventh married Dr. Kennedy, of Chattanooga. One granddaughter married Mr. Henry Watterson, editor of the Courier-Journal, of Louisville. The sons were all good men, and married well. Mrs. Williams died near Nashville, in the year 1845. Mr. J. F. Williams died at the same place, in the year 1852, having been a great sufferer for five years with cancer in his eye. He left a noble record for his family.