Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-27
Death ola Prominent Citizen Of
Knoxville.

The readers OF the Dispatch are al
ready prepared for the announcement
of the death of Col. John Williams.
The sad event occurred at his resi-
dence, at quarter past nine o'clock last
evening. He died peacefully, with
the members of his family about him.
He was is the sixty-fourth year Of his
age. For a long time he had been af.
ficted, and death did not come to him
unhe.alded. His disease, as we stated
yesterday, was paralysis, superinduced
by the softening Of the brain.
We regret that, at this hour, we
have neither time nor space to speak
Of John Williams as his personal
merits deserve. There are thousands
who will sympathize with us in the
loss of so excellent a citizen. During
the long years ofhis life, he illustrated
the beauties Of personal honesty. As
a husband he exempll6ed in the high
est decree the devotion that is most
honorable among nen and most true
among women. As a father there was
none more affectiOnate or careful. AS
a friend there wa none more true /;
and as a citizen there lived not a mar
who more houorably and courageously
acted upon his own convictions. We
wish we could say more, but we steal
an hour from the printers to pay this
brief tribute to one Of the best friends
we ever knew,
Knoxville CHI %oniele.l
Died, at his residence in this vicin-
ity, at 9:l5 pm, on Friday, April p,
1881, Colonel John Williams.
He was bora in 1918, at the old
Williams homestead, the mansion of
which stands opposite aud nearly
north of his late residence, and is
known as the Jackson property"
He was the son Of the late Colonel
John Williams, who was a man of
mark and influence in his day; and bis
mother was Melinda White, a sister
Of Hon. HUH Lawson White.
Colonel Williams grew up in this
community, aud always had his r-si-
dcnce here. About forty years ago he
was married to Rhoda Morgan, a
daught.r of the late RUFUS Morgan.
Mrs. Williams died several years ago,
leaving six children, four o n and
two daughters, all of whom survive
the p-rents.
In the days Of that party he was an
old line whig." In the question
which agitated the country in 1861 he
was an earnest, honest, uncom Dromis-
ing union man, and adhered strictly to
his principles through the whole war.
But political difference never for a
moment in,errurted his association or
friendship fer his neighbors and fel-
low citizens Of the other side. The
presence Of the Confederate army and
the domination of the country by that
power never restrained the utserance
Of his principles Of allegiance to the
United States aud loyalty to the union.
His honest candor and frank dealing
commanded the respect of the
Confederate, and won the personal
friendship of many %oficersj and SOL
dlers. And so, too, under the change
Of. rule, when the authority of the fed
eral government was e-c]tahlished by
tie hillary occupation Of East Ten
nes-ee, his unfalteriug friendship was
Illustrated continually by the interpo.
sition Of bis personal influence for the
relief or protection of citizens Of
southerl sympatbies.
After the war be was the candidate
Of the conservative party for congresj.
against Mr.. Maynard. A few years
ago he was United Sl-tes comm ssioD-
er for the district Of T~ennes~ec, ap-
pointed by the late Judge Trigg.