My Genealogy Hound

William F. Williams is one of the best known and most highly respected residents of Mississippi County, Ark., and is a man whose life has been an active one, and not without the substantial rewards of success. His grandfather, Josiah Williams, was a resident of Nashville, and a man of enterprise and discretion. He became an extensive landholder in Mississippi County, purchasing his property at what was then known as Social Bend, about the year 1835, which property was managed by his sons, James H. and his brothers, who were then young men, the place being well stocked with slaves. About 1850, James H. Williams purchased a farm near Elmot, above Osceola, and with the help of his slaves, he opened up about 200 acres, and on this farm he is still residing. William F. Williams was the eldest of eight children born to his parents, and received some educational advantages in the schools of Osceola. After reaching manhood, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Christina Kieser, a daughter of F. W., and granddaughter of John Kieser, who came from Germany to the United States in 1831, bringing with him his wife and two children, F. W. Kieser being the only one of the latter that is living. The grandfather is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and divides his time about equally between Kentucky and Osceola, Ark. F. W. Kieser is also living, in Kentucky. William F. Williams, after his marriage, which occurred in 1875, moved onto his father-in-law’s place, which adjoins Osceola, and is now managing 600 acres of land. He pays an annual rental of $3,000 for his land, and his principal crops are cotton and corn, the yield of the former being about three-quarters to one bale, or forty bushels of corn, to the acre. There is nothing that he has ever tried to make grow on his land that has not thrived, whether grain or fruit. He is also engaged in stock dealing, and thinks the farmers of this region have thoroughly awakened to the fact that it pays to raise a good grade of stock. The mules of Mississippi County are becoming especially noted; Mr. Williams has also some Holstein cattle, which he considers a better breed for this region than any other. He has a fine male animal, which was imported from Holland, and although but two years old, weighs 1,218 pounds. His hogs are of the Berkshire breed, brought from Kentucky, and are very fine. He keeps a few sheep, which he finds fairly profitable, but thinks the country here too level for them to thrive well. Mr. Williams has acted as school director for a number of years, and from his own observations has seen a decided improvement in the standard of schools since the year 1870, and consequently a decided improvement in the people of this section. The education of his three children, May, Fred and James, is being attended to by their mother, who is a lady of culture and refinement, and was educated at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, south, at Osceola; Mr. Williams has passed the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the A. F. & A. M., of Osceola, and is a charter member of Apollo Commandery at Forest City, Ark. He is also a member of the K. of H.