My Genealogy Hound

William R. White is a son of John and Sallie P. (Duncan) White, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. They were married in the former State and there resided until 1836, when they came to West Tennessee and located in Gibson County where they remained until their deaths. The father was a Jacksonian Democrat, and a blacksmith and farmer by occupation. He died about 1859. His widow resided on the homestead until a few years before her death, when she began residing with her children She died in 1881. William R. was born in Burke County, N. C., December 5, 1822, and received fair educational advantages. After reaching manhood he attended school about two years, thus acquiring sufficient education to teach. After following this profession one term his health failed and he then turned his attention to farming, and has also followed blacksmithing to some extent. He owns 96 acres of land which he has obtained by his own industry. Julia A. Armstrong became his wife in 1846, and after bearing six children, died in 1860. Three years later he married Jane Simmons, who bore him one child. He and his first wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His present wife is a Presbyterian. Andrew J. Williams was born in Warren County, Tenn., February 13, 1815, and is one of four surviving members of a family of seven sons and two daughters born to James and Martha (Jones) Williams, natives of South Carolina, who had lived and farmed in Kentucky previous to coming to Tennessee. The father was with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans. He died in Warren County about 1817. His wife died in 1825. Soon after her death Andrew J. came to Gibson County, and made his home with his brother near Milan till 1835; then moved to Mississippi and farmed in Panoro and Desota Counties till 1845, when he returned to Gibson County, Tenn., locating five miles from Humboldt, where he remained until 1877; then purchased a one-half interest in the Gibson County Wells, and made that his summer home until 1881 (excepting one year spent at Eureka Springs, Ark.) He then purchased the remaining interest, and moved to the Wells. In October, 1837, he married Mary J. Seat, to whom one son and one daughter were born. The latter is deceased. The mother of these children died, and he then wedded V. Fulghum, and after her death wedded Belle Towns, his present wife. Mr. Williams is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Episcopal Church. The waters of the Gibson County Wells possess rare curative properties, and many almost miraculous cures are effected each season. They have been deservedly renowned for about forty years, and before the property was improved, hundreds of visitors would camp out in their vicinity during the summer season. The present proprietor, Mr. Williams, built a commodious hotel in addition to the cottages, and he and wife have made this an attractive summer home for many families throughout this and other States.