My Genealogy Hound

B. A. Williamson, (deceased) was a prominent farmer of Mississippi County, Ark., and was born in the Blue Grass State, in 1820. He passed is youth on his father’s farm, and subsequently learned the brickmason’s trade. Later in life he went Louisville, Ky., worked at his trade about eight years, and then in 1855 he came to Arkansas, where he settled on the Mississippi River, about three miles above Osceola. He located on a tract of wild land, which he soon submitted to a course of improvement, and which was transformed into a remarkably pleasant home. After making many improvements he sold out in 1861, at a large advance, and then bought a choice location in the vicinity, which Mrs. Williamson still owns. Mr. Williamson was married in November, 1861, to Miss Lithe Jane Hale [see sketch of Hale Bros.], and immediately afterward the war broke out. Farming was almost suspended, but Mr. Williamson found employment at his trade, and nearly all the brick chimneys of that time were of his construction. He made many improvements on his farm, erecting buildings and clearing about seventy acres. In 1871, after an unusually active and prosperous life, Mr. Williamson received his final summons. Since then Mrs. Williamson has opened up about twenty acres, has conducted the home place, and now has no trouble in renting the farm for $600 or $700 annually. This land is very productive, and has often yielded one and a half bales of cotton to the acre. In 1884 Mrs. Williamson bought a pleasant residence in Osceola, which she has improved and made into a pleasant home. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson were born six children, only one now living: Eliza Ann died at the age of ten years; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of Abner Driver, and resides in this county; James Edward died at the age of seven years; Levina died at the age of fifteen years, and two died in infancy. Mrs. Williamson has since married her deceased husband’s brother, Bland W. Williamson. The family are now living in a very pleasant cottage in Osceola.