Judge Thomas Williams, of Sherman Township, was born in Yadkin County, N. C., February 11, 1823. He is the son of Isaac and Dicy (Ridings) Williams, who were born and spent their lives in Yadkin County, N. C. The father died about 1876, nearly eighty-four years of age, the mother about 1868. The father was a Whig. The Judge is the seventh of ten children. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received a good, country-school education. In the spring of 1847 he came to Missouri, and taught school six months in Gentry County, then removing to Buchanan County, where he remained till October, 1850, when he returned to his native State and county. He there taught a private school in the winter of 1850-1851. On February 25, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Cuolistia Reece. Returning to Missouri, he located on a farm of eighty acres in De Kalb County, near his present location, where he settled in November, 1851. His wife died November 20, 1855, having borne three children—one son and two daughters—of whom the son is living. On November 6, 1856, he wedded Miss Margaret J. Ellingsworth. She died August 18, 1877, having borne five sons, of whom two are dead. On May 1, 1879, Mr. Williams was married to his present wife. In 1853 he was appointed county judge by the Governor to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of John T. Baker. In 1855 he was elected to the office, and in 1857 was re-elected for six years. He served until August 1861, when he resigned on account of the war. He has always been a Democrat. The first and second wives were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. His present wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 591.