My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Daniel R. Williams, was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, April 23, 1834, is a prominent farmer and merchant of Grant County and the son of Whitmel and Besthada (Taylor) Williams, natives of Edgecombe County. They lived in their native county until death overtook them, he dying in 1873 at about the age of sixty-five, and his wife in 1877 when seventy-one or seventy-two years of age. She was a member of the Baptist Church for a number of years. He was a Whig in politics, and during the muster of militia served as captain for several years, when his oldest son becoming old enough succeeded him. He was a very charitable old gentleman, well known and universally respected. His parents were English and Irish. To this union with Miss Taylor were born nine children, all living till maturity. Daniel R., the fifth child, received his education in North Carolina, and at the age of twenty-one years left home and worked out for five years, when he came to Arkansas, reaching here in 1860, and locating in the neighborhood of Grape Vine. In March, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, First Arkansas Infantry, serving till the surrender at Greenville, N. C., in May, 1865. He took part in many battles, among which were those of Corinth, Green River Bridge (Ky.), Perryville (Ky.), Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. In the Atlanta campaign, at Resaca, he received a scalp wound from a bursting shell, disabling him from duty for eight weeks. He participated in the battles around Atlanta, Franklin, Tennessee and Nashville, and was then taken back to North Carolina and surrendered. After the war closed he returned to Arkansas and to his family. His earthly possessions consisted of $1.25 and his farm of eighty acres with about one and one-half acres cleared. He immediately began to farm and has continued to the present day, and through industry and good management he now owns a splendid place of 1,100 acres. On May 21, 1861, he was married to Catharine Lybrand, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Lybrand, of Grant County. She was born in Lexington District, S. C., June 6, 1841. By this marriage there were two children: Charles K. and Anna P., both living. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he has served as clerk for several years. He is a member of the Democratic party and a Mason. In December, 1883, he went into the mercantile business, which has since received his attention. As a wide-awake and enterprising citizen he stands at the head, always favoring the cause of education and religion, and championing schemes for public improvement.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 68 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Grant County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Grant County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.