My Genealogy Hound

James Alfred Williamson, M. D., a prominent physician of Elmo, whose name is familiar in many homes throughout Independence County, is a son of Alfred and Caroline Virginia (Sanders) Williamson, the former a native of Maine, and the latter of Kentucky. The parents were married near what is now Saloma, Taylor County, Ky., where James Alfred was born, on the 20th of March, 1857. The parents moved from Kentucky the same year, and settled in Arkansas, at a point near Batesville, where the father commenced practicing his profession in addition to cultivating a farm. The Doctor was reared on the home farm, and educated in the schools of Independence County. After graduating from these schools he took a course in literature at the Batesville High School, and in 1880 commenced the study of medicine under his father. He received his first course of lectures at the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, Mo., in 1882 and 1883, and afterward located at Elmo, Ark., where he practiced until the fall of 1884, when he matriculated at Vanderbilt University, and graduated that term, also graduating from the medical college at Nashville, Tenn., in 1885. Dr. Williamson was married to Miss Henry Clay Tunstall, of Arkansas, a daughter of Clay and Nancy (Arnold) Tunstall, both natives of Tennessee, but among the earlier settlers of the former State, and Clay Tunstall’s name is associated with much of Independence County’s early development. To the Doctor’s marriage were born three children: Jessie, Basil and Imogene, and they contribute to make this one of the brightest and happiest homes in Northern Arkansas. The Doctor has built up a large practice in this section, and enjoys the confidence of everyone with whom he comes in contact. He is a general practitioner, and skillful in his profession, having made it the study of his existence. In the winter season, when pneumonia, bronchitis, croup and kindred diseases are prevalent, he has his hands full, and in the summer months, when malarial affections are lurking everywhere, he is one of the busiest men in that county. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and in religious faith he, with his wife, attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Williamson is a member of McGuire Lodge No. 208, Oil Trough, Independence County, and filled the chair of Senior Warden at one time, but is now the Senior Deacon. He also belongs to Oil Trough Chapter No. 84, at Oil Trough, and holds the position of Captain of the Host.