My Genealogy Hound

John William Rison (deceased). No name is remembered with greater respect by the people of Perry County than that of John W. Rison, who, as lawyer and merchant, attained just recognition. He was born in Amelia County, Va., April 21, 1820, and died June 19, 1886, in Perryville, after a useful and well-spent life. Peter and Sally B. (Booker) Rison, his parents, were of Virginia nativity, where they died. The family came of French origin, Peter’s father having been born in France; and he emigrated to the United States with LaFayette. Mrs. Sally B. Rison was a relative of Gov. Bibb, of Virginia. John was the second child of three who grew to maturity. He received his education at William and Mary College, in Virginia, and from that State moved to Missouri, where he resided two years, in 1844 coming to Perry County, of which he was one of the early settlers. He was county clerk of this county for eighteen years, and was twice sent to the State legislature, where he served in a capable manner. He practiced law in the first courts of the county, and for twenty years was the only truly educated man here. Formerly a Whig he later became a Democrat in politics. He was a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar, and during the war was enrolling officer, sympathizing with the Confederate cause. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1843 Mr. Rison married Harriet C. Clifton, born in Wilson County, Tenn., October 4, 1822. She was the daughter of William and Martha (Tucker) Clifton, of North and South Carolina, respectively, who were early settlers in Arkansas, dying in Pulaski County. Only two of this family of eleven are living: Harriet and Joshua. In Mr. Rison’s family were eight children, six now living: Harriet A. (wife of William Timmons), Elizabeth (wife of James A. Fones), Richard E., Albert, Sally B. (wife of Joseph N. Belcher) and George B. When Mr. Rison died he was the owner of two residences in Little Rock, valued at $40,000, and a farm of 160 acres one mile from Perryville, valued at $5,000, which his widow now owns. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1832, and is now one of the most active members of the Perryville congregation.