Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-04-26
ObftuarY.

Died, at his residence in this vicinity, at
s.15 p. M, on Friday, April 22d, 1881, Col.
John Williams.
He was born at the old Williams home
stead, the mansion of which stands opposite
and nearly north of his late residence, and
| is now known as the jackson property"
He was the son of the late Col John
Williams, who was man of mark and in
| fiuence in his day; and his mother was Me-
linda White, sister of the Hon. Hugh
Lawson White.
| Colonel Williams grew up in this COM
munity, and always had his residence here.
About forty years ago he was married to
Rhoda Morgan, daughter of the late
Rufus Morgan. Mrs Williams deceased
several years ago, leaving six children, four
sons and two daughters, all of whom sur
vive the parents
Few men have been better known in this
country than John Williams, and he has
been called to serve the people in the legis-
lature and other capacities. One of his most
marked and recognized charteristics was
sterling honesty and incorruptibiity. His
honor was all to him, and no one who ever
knew him would impeach it.
During his wife's lifetime he was exceed
ingly domestic, and spared neither time, la
Dor or money to beautify his home and graf
| fly the taste of his wife and ceildren
Reared upon his fathers farm, he loved
agriculture in all its departments, and was
an exceedingly industrious and hard-work-
ing man. In his personal friendship no
man was more ardent and true. The man
who had John Williams as a friend knew
| that he had one who would stand by him as
long as he would prove worthy of it. Col.
| Williams was a man of ingenious kindness,
and never turned the needy away from his
door empty-handed
He was social and genial in his DISPOSE
| ton, rejoicing with his friends in their
prosperity and smpathizing sincerely with
them in af1iction and distress.
In the days of that party he was an old
line Wing" In the question which agita-
ted the country in 1861, he was an earnest,
honest, uncompromising Union man, and
adhered strictly to his principles through
never for a moment interrupted his associa-
ton or friendship for his neighbors and fell
citizens of the other side. The pres
ence of the Confederate army and the DOM
nation of the country by that power
never restrained the utterance of his princi
pies of allegiance to the United States anC
loyalty to the Union. His honest candol
and frank dealing commanded the respect O.
the Confederates, and won the persona
friendship of many officers and soldiers
And SO, too, under the change of rule, whel
the authority of the Federal Government
was re-established by the military occupa
ton of East Tennessee, his unfalterins
friendship was illustrated continually by tn
interposition of his personal influence TO
the relief or protection of citizens of South
ern sympathies.
After the war he was the candidate of tn
Conservative party for Congress agains
Mr.. Maynard. A few years ago he wa
) United States commissioner for the distric
: of Tennessee, appointed by the late Judg
Trigg.
He had many noble and admirable traits
and because he was only a man, he had som
faults. Let the mantle of charity be throw
over the latter, and the memory of his bette
qualities be cherished.
' He was born ON the 7th of March, 1915
g and died April %, 1881. A large circle c
relatives, acquaintance and friends through
out the State and the country will recely
the announcement of his death with una
4 fected sorrow. His family have the syn
patty and coincidence of Knoxville. P.