My Genealogy Hound

Jacob Williams, who is numbered among the county’s early settlers, having come here in 1846, was born in Cocke County, Tenn., March 17, 1826, being the son of William and Nancy Neil (Jester) Williams. The former’s birth occurred in North Carolina, in 1788 or 1789, where he was reared and educated, afterward going to Tennessee, where he married and resided for a time. In 1846 he came to Arkansas, and settled in Hot Spring (now Saline) County. Several years after, he moved to Liberty Township, and located a farm of eighty acres, making it his home until his death in 1863. He served in the Creek War of 1812-14, under Gen. Jackson. His wife survived until 1887, when she died at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Jacob Williams was reared and educated in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, his usual occupation in life being somewhat interrupted by the mutterings of war. In 1846 he joined the army of Gen. Wool, and went to Mexico, to participate in that struggle, there engaging in the battle of Buena Vista, where he was wounded with a Mexican lance, and seriously injured. The friendship existing between Mr. Williams and Gen. Taylor was indeed strong and sincere. In 1847 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Mary J. Rippetoe, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of James Rippetoe, one of the early pioneers of Central Arkansas. By this union seven children were born, three now living: Isaac, Calvin and William, all married and living in Arkansas. Mrs. Williams died in 1861, mourned by all who knew her. Though not a member of any church, she was a loving mother and wife. In 1863 Mr. Williams married again, Mrs. Amanda Sherman, the widow of Michael Sherman, and a native of Alabama, becoming his wife. Three children have been born of this union, two now living: John B. and Jehu. After his first marriage Mr. Williams settled in Hot Spring (now Garland) County, where he resided for three years, later selling this property and purchasing land on the South Fork of Saline River, where he made his home for twenty-two years. In 1874 he came to the farm where he now resides, consisting of 360 acres, of which sixty are improved, and yield excellent crops of corn, cotton and oats. At the beginning of the war, Mr. Williams enlisted in the Confederate army, and with the exception of one year at home, on account of his wife’s sickness and death, served until the close of hostilities. He was in the cavalry service, and accompanied Price on his raid through Missouri, finally surrendering in Texas, in the summer of 1865. He has been justice of the peace since before the war. Himself and family are members of the Pine Baptist Church, and he belongs to Fair Play Lodge of the A. F. & A. M. He is a Democrat, and exerts no little influence politically in his county, generally being appointed judge of election. The school board find in him one of their influential and popular members.