My Genealogy Hound

Mrs. E. S. Williams, widow of W. J. Williams, one of Polk County’s worthy residents, was born in Illinois, April 23, 1836, and is the daughter of Solomon and Mary (Hartly) Hopkins. Solomon Hopkins was born in Tennessee in 1812, grew to man hood in that State, and at an early age moved to Illinois, where he was married in 1835 to Miss Mary Hartly, also a native of Tennessee, born in 1812. After marriage the father followed agricultural pursuits, a part of the time, in Illinois, and remained there until 1836, when he moved to Missouri and settled in Cedar County, where he continued to till the soil. Some time in the forties he moved to Polk County, Missouri, and there died in 1852. They were the parents often children, eight of whom survive. The mother is still living on her husband’s old home stead in Polk County, and is enjoying very fair health. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Williams, a resident of Tennessee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He left Tennessee at an early date, and emigrated to Illinois, where he remained until 1836, when he moved to Polk County, Mo., and there tilled the soil until his death, some time in the forties. Mrs. E. S. (Hopkins) Williams grew to womanhood in Polk County, Mo., her early education being confined to such instruction as could be obtained in the common schools. She was married in Polk County, Mo., in 1850, to Mr. W. J. Williams, and by him became the mother of six children, four of whom are now living: Mary M., Solomon E., Sarah (deceased), Josie (deceased), Elinor U., and Addie E. Mrs. Williams has been a life-long member of the Baptist Church, and has always taken an active part in church matters since a very early age, being instrumental in building the present Baptist Church at Fair Play. Her two daughters, Miss Elinor U. and Miss Addie E., are ladies of culture and refinement, the former being an accomplished musician. They are both active members of the Baptist Church, and lovers of truth and right, and, too, earnest advocates of the cause of prohibition. W. J. Williams was born in Tennessee in 1828, emigrated to Pike County, Mo., in 1829, and afterward moved to Polk County, of the same State, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the war he served two years in the Home Guards of Polk County. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1871.