My Genealogy Hound

T. J. Williamson is a man who seems to be especially fitted for the occupation of merchandising, for he has met with more than the average degree of success, and his earnest and sincere endeavor to succeed in life is well worthy of imitation. He was born in Independence County, Ark., December 22, 1852, and is a son of R. P. and Catherine (Bowman) Williamson, who were born in Franklin County, Tenn., and North Carolina, respectively, the former’s birth occurring November 15, 1819. He was educated in Hardeman County, Tenn., near Bolivar, and after his removal to Arkansas, in 1849, he settled in Independence County, and was there married. He and wife became the parents of two sons and two daughters, and being people of wealth and position, they have given their children good educational advantages. They own about 1,500 acres of land, and have some 750 under cultivation. The mother is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. T. J. Williamson, their son, was educated in Bellefonte, Boone County, Ark., and he was married there to Miss Sarah Murray on the 20th of December, 1877, she being a native of that State, and a daughter of Alfred Murray, who was a Tennessean. To Mr. and Mrs. Williamson were born seven children, of whom four are still living: Clarence R., Kittie N., Pauline and Alexander; those deceased are: Oscar W., who died June 14, 1889; Viola, who died October 5, 1883; and Elloena, whose death occurred on the 14th of September, 1888. Mr. Williamson has been engaged in merchandising since he was twenty-one years of age. He holds the highest office in the I. O. O. F., and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and are well known and highly esteemed citizens.