City: Memphis
WILLIAMS, James Mathew, commission merchant, grain, hay, flour, etc.; born near Brunswick, Tenn., Sept. 1, 1841; Welsh-Scotch and English descent; son of Henry and Mary (Black) WILLIAMS; father’s occupation, farmer and magistrate Shelby Co., Tenn., 12 years; paternal grandparents James and Susan (Peebles) WILLIAM [sic], maternal grandparents Mathew and Elizabeth (Strong) BLACK; educated in Shelby Co., Tenn., and spent two years at Shelby Military Institute, Germantown, Tenn.; in early life assisted his father on farm in Shelby Co., Tenn.; at age of 14 lost part of his right hand by accident and was exempt from military service, but enlisted in C.S.A. and remained until close of war; captured once by 7th Kansas (Jayhawkers) Cavalry; escaped from prison in 1863; attained rank of orderly sergeant, 13th Tenn. Infantry, and lieutenant in cavalry; married Sallie R. WOOTEN, Feb. 8, 1872; member of Masonic fraternities, DeSoto Lodge, Memphis Chapter, Memphis Commandery, Business Men’s Club, Memphis Merchants Exchange, Confederate Historical Association, Company “A,” U.C.V., and colonel on staff of Gen. G.W. Gordon; Democrat; member of Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Source: Who’s Who in Tennessee: A Biographical Reference Book of Notable Tennesseans of To-Day. Memphis: Paul & Douglas Co, 1911.
