My Genealogy Hound

JOHN E. WILLIAMSON, son of John P. and Jane Williamson, was born near Louisville, Jefferson Co., Ky., in 1830. He was reared without the benefit of more than a common school education, and in early life was attracted to the trade of stone-cutter, for which he seemed to possess a natural fitness. In 1857 he removed to Paducah and opened a shop, since which time he has been operating in marble work at that place, excepting, however, the time of his military service. In 1863 he espoused the cause of the Union, and in Paducah organized a company, of which he was chosen captain. He was first connected with the Sixteenth Kentucky Cavalry, which was later consolidated with the Twelfth Cavalry, the fortunes of which he shared until mustered out at the close of the war. For the past three generations some member of this family has participated in war. His grandfather, Elliott Williamson, came to the United States in 1765; he took part in the Revolution and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis’ troops at Yorktown. He had a family of five sons, of whom John P. was the third, and he became a soldier in the war of 1812, participating in the closing scenes at New Orleans. He died in Paducah in 1871, in his eighty-second year. He also had five sons, of whom John E. is the third and the only one who participated in the late war. This coincidence is all the more striking when it is remembered that John E. also has a family of five sons. At the close of the war Mr. Williamson returned to Paducah to find both shop and dwelling burned by the soldiers who had infested the city. He at once set about to retrieve his fortunes. By his business sagacity he has succeeded well, and while associated with Mr. Emery drafted and executed the central monument for the National Soldiers’ Cemetery, at Mound City, Ill., receiving therefor the sum of $25,000. Mr. Williamson is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Honor; in politics he acts with that party whose principles most nearly coincide with his own ideas of good government. He took an active part in city affairs, having been elected councilman by the people of his ward (the First) a number of times, and served on the most important committees during his long service. He was married in 1856, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Brownfield, which union has been blessed with the following named children: Charley, Harry, John, Kittie, Jennie, Frank and Fred Williamson.