THOMAS F. WILLIAMS. T. F. Williams is a substantial citizen of Taney County, Missouri, and from early boyhood has devoted his attention to farming interests, being now the owner of an excellent tract of 280 acres, 100 acres under cultivation, in Swan township. Mr. Williams was born in Polk County, Missouri, December 6, 1859, and is a son of John E. and Louisa J. (Hale) Williams, both natives of Tennessee, the former born October 21, 1820, and the latter September 27, 1830.
The grandfather, John Williams, died in Tennessee. About 1852 the father of our subject came to Missouri and settled in Polk County, where he resided until 1867, when he came to Taney County, settling on a farm at the mouth of Beaver Creek, on White River, where his death occurred in 1882. All his life was devoted to farming and stockraising, but he was public-spirited and held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. In political matters he was a supporter of Republican principles, and during the war, he was enrolled in the State militia, but was exempt from duty on account of holding the office of justice of the peace. His wife died in 1885. She was the daughter of Samuel Hale, a native of Tennessee, who came to Polk County, Missouri, where he died about 1890. He was a farmer and a prominent man in that county. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, as follows: S. J., a farmer of this county, and collector of revenue for Taney County from 1888 to 1892; Sarah M., wife of G. W. Johnson, of Taney County; Thomas F., subject; Mary E., the wife of W. G. Clark, of this county; Margaret I., wife of J. T. Dillon, of this county; and John G., residing on the old home place in this county. The parents were worthy members of the Christian Church.
Our subject was a lad of seven years when he came to Taney County, and he grew to mature years on the old home farm, his schooling being received in the neighborhood. When seventeen years of age he attended school at Bellefonte, Arkansas, and, later, began farming with his brother. In 1882 he married Miss Mary E. Stuart, a native of Phelps County, Missouri, born February 12, 1861, and the daughter of D. D. Stuart, a native of Massachusetts, who came to Missouri at an early day. Until 1879 he resided in Phelps County and then came to Taney County, settling in Swan Township, where he died in 1888. His wife is still living on the homestead in Swan Township. Two children have been given our subject and wife: Joseph E., born October 27, 1883, and Daisy I., born August 14, 1888. Mr. Williams is a Republican in politics and for two years held the office of deputy county and circuit clerk, under J. G. Siler. In 1886 he was a candidate for county and circuit clerk, but was defeated at the primary election. While attending school in Arkansas he taught one term, and is an intelligent and well-informed man. After his marriage he moved to his present farm, a rich tract of valley land between the Beaver and White Rivers, near the mouth of the former, and which consists of 280 acres, 100 under cultivation. Mr. Williams gives his principal attention to farming and stock-raising, and has some of the finest animals in the county. He is interested in all enterprises for the public good, is a prominent young man, and comes from one of the best families. His farm is kept in the best condition, for he is enterprising and progressive, and no man is better posted on agricultural affairs than he is.