Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
JOHN P. WILLIAMSON. It is a pleasure to see a farm like that of John P. Williamson, of Jackson township, Greene county, in which vicinity he has lived for over sixty-one years and where he is well known. He has seen this community develop from its pioneer environment to its present thriving condition and he has taken a lively interest in this development.
Mr. Williamson was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, April 14, 1848. He is a son of Robert H. and Sophia A. (Stevens) Williamson. The father was also born in Bedford county, Tennessee, in October, 1818, and there he was reared on a farm and attended the early-day subscription schools, and there he began life as a farmer, remaining in his native locality until in 1853 when he brought his family overland to Greene county, Missouri. He located on one hundred and twenty acres. He was a hard worker and good manager and he later became owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres. During the Civil war he served in the Missouri State Militia and was in a number of engagements--skirmishes, but no real battles. He was married in his native state in 1847. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His death occurred on his farm here in 1902, honored and respected by the entire community. His wife was a native of Bedford county, Tennessee, and there she was reared on a farm and attended the local schools. Her death occurred on the farm here several years ago. She was a member of the Baptist church.
John P. Williamson was five years old when, in 1853, he accompanied his parents from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood on the old homestead where he worked when a boy and he received his education in the district schools. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, then started out in life for himself, buying forty acres on which he worked hard and got a good start. Being industrious and prospering he added to his original purchase until he became owner of an excellent place of one hundred and ninety-three acres the farm he now occupies. He has a well-kept and neat appearing place, which produces well and on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. He has dealt extensively in live stock in the past and no small portion of his competence has been thus obtained.
Mr. Williamson was married on November 27, 1874, to Malinda Davis, who was born in Dallas county, Missouri, April 15, 1853, and there she grew to womanhood on a farm and received her education in the rural schools. She is a daughter of Woodford I. and Netty (Highfield) Davis, both parents being now deceased.
To our subject and wife five children have been born, namely: Robert I., Charles, Mrs. Flora Cole, Floy H. and John I.
Politically, Mr. Williamson is a Republican. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the Center Christian church.
[1855-1856]
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