State Bank/Brookhaven Trust/Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library John Holly Williams Collection: Series IJohn H. Williams

This 3 page biographical sketch of John H. Williams was written for the Brookhaven Trust by his widow, Jodie Williams. It gives personal data related to his family and outlines his career.

People, Places, and Things by Joe L. McDonald, March 9, 1994 (13 x 6 1/2) (b & w, newspaper clipping)

McDonald devotes his column to describing John H. Williams' love for his work and his attitude toward life.

Football Team, 1920 (8 1/2 x 7 3/4) (original photograph)

Handwritten on back "left to right, Ole Miss, 1920, Jap George, Em. Farnier, H. Hood, Cy Alexander, Rufus Creekmore, John Williams, Hooley Feemster. Other pictures of Williams as a member of a football team are available in the football section of this compilation. This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

M Club, approx. 1920 (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

John H. Williams was a member of the "M" Club when he attended Ole Miss (University of Mississippi).

John H. Williams, 1985 - 1994 (8 x 10) (color, photograph) View sample item.

Photograph of John H. Williams in Rose Hill Cemetery donated to the Brookhaven Trust by Mrs. Williams.

John H. Williams, 1985 - 1994 (5 x 7) (color, photograph)

Portrait of John H. Williams donated to the Brookhaven Trust by Mrs. Williams.

John H. Williams, 1942 - 1943 (3 x 4 1/2) (b & w, photograph)

Photograph of John H. Williams in American Red Cross uniform. An 8 x 10 copy of this photograph is listed under the Uniforms section of this compilation.

John H. Williams, after 1940 (5 x 6) (b & w, photograph)

Photograph of John H. Williams. Handwritten on back "John H. Williams 1902- , son of W. J. Williams, Grandson of John H. Williams, 1850 - 1939".

John H. Williams, after 1940 (8 x 10) (b & w, photograph)

John H. Williams stands outside the Art Studio looking in through the window. Across the street behind him is Gulley's Men's Store. It is snowing and snow has accumulated on the street and parked car.

John H. Williams, 1940 - 1980 (4 1/2 x 3) (color, photograph)

John H. Williams sits inside the Art Studio.

John H. Williams, 1940 - 1980 (3 x 4 1/2) (color, photograph)

Formal portrait of John H. Williams wearing a gray suit and red tie.

John H. Williams, 1960 - 1980 (5 x 7) (color, photograph)

Photograph of Williams inside the Art Studio. He is older, wears a cap, white shirt, and red tie. In the background are several framed portraits. On back the photograph is signed with a number and "by Bobby Coke".

West Monticello Street, 1940 - 1960 (8 x 7 1/2) (b & w, photograph)

Photograph of West Monticello Street - where John H. Williams lived. The 1940 city directory for Brookhaven (available in the Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Library) lists his home address as 527 West Monticello.

Almost Home, 1940 - 1960 (8 1/4 x 7 1/2) (b & w, photograph)

A closer view of the street shows a partial view of the Williams home.

Home, 1940 - 1960 (10 x 8) (color, photograph)

Front view of the Williams home on West Monticello Street.

In the Backyard, 1940 - 1945 (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

Partially built 2 story building. A library patron identified this as the house John Williams built in his backyard behind the Monticello Street house.

Completed House, 1940 - 1945 (10 x 8) (color, photograph)

Completed house - According to the library patron Jack Piper, owner of Jack's Shop which was located near the Art Studio, lived here in the mid-1940's.

Smith Jewelry, undated (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

Photograph of Smith's Jewelry windows at night. In the right window is a display listing "Photograph Gallery, John H. Williams, Photographer".

Right Window, undated (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

Close view of the right window contents and display.

Grandfather, undated (8 x 10) (sepia, photograph) View sample item.

John H. Williams, grandfather of the photographer, sits in a chair on the porch. Handwritten on back "John Holly Williams, 1850 - 1939, Brookhaven, Miss., He reared me and I loved him Dearly, JHW".

Smaller View, undated (5 x 7) (b & w, photograph)

Smaller view of previous photograph. On back "J. H. Williams, 1850 - 1939, Brookhaven, Ms."

Aging, 1930 - 1939 (8 x 10) (color, photograph)

An older man with serious skin problems on his chin. Identified by a library patron as the grandfather of John Williams, the photographer. The face is similar to the previous photographs. All of John H. Williams' work is excellent, however this photograph is extremely touching.

Family Men, before 1936 (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

Four men in a row. All wear suits and range in age from older to younger. On back "left to right - 4 generations. 1. Isaac Williams, born 1809, died 1903, married Mary F. Griffith, 2. Isaac Milton -Mick- Williams, born 1849, married Betty Pope, 3. Asa Isaac Walker, 1853 - 1910, married Martha Magee, 4. Willie Leslie Walker, 1877 - 1936, married Pearl Magee."

Reflections, October 6, 2004 (6 x 5 1/2) (b & w, newspaper clipping)

The Reflections column of The Daily Leader used the photograph of the Williams Family Reunion in 1925. This photograph is included in the Williams Family Group.

W. J. Williams, Small View, before 1920 (3 x 3 3/4) (sepia, photograph)

A man and woman sit in front of a house with a second woman standing behind them. Handwritten on back "W. J. Williams, wife Mattie Price Williams, Ella Williams, Natalbany, La." This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

W. J. Williams, Enlarged View, before 1920 (8 x 10) (b & w, photograph)

Enlargement of previous photograph. On back "W. J. Williams & wife, Mattie Price Williams (seated) Standing Miss Ella Williams. W. J. Williams and Mattie Price Williams were father & mother of John Holley Williams III, Brookhaven, Ms., born 1902, and Zula Williams, born 1900"

W. J. Williams, before 1920 (5 1/2 x 3 1/8) (sepia, photograph)

Photograph of 2 men - identified on back "Leonard Wooten" and "W. J. Williams". This is an older photograph glued to a board backing. It carries the photographer's imprint "W. J. Layton, Brookhaven, Ms."

W. J. Williams, before 1920 (4 x 5 1/2) (sepia, photograph)

A man wearing a white shirt stands beside a bicycle. Handwritten on back " Will J. Williams, son of J. H. Williams, Brookhaven, Ms. Father of John Holly Williams, Jr., Brookhaven, Ms." This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

Lillie Williams, before 1920 (7 x 4 1/2) (sepia, photograph)

An older couple sit on a porch with a young girl standing between them. Behind the group is a woman and 3 children. Handwritten on back "Lillie Williams, Brookhaven, Miss.". This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

Williard Williamson, before 1920 (3 3/4 x 5 1/2) (sepia, photograph)

Identified on back as "Willard Williamson." There is no explanation of his connection to the Williams Family. This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

Baby, before 1920 (3 x 5) (sepia, photograph)

An unidentified infant found in the family pictures. This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

Zula, before 1920 (2 3/4 x 3 3/4) (sepia, photograph)

Oval photograph of a young woman. Handwritten below the portrait "Zula Williams, daughter of W. J. Williams and Mattie Williams, granddaughter of J.H. Williams (b. 1850). This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

Zula, My Dearest Sister, before 1920 (3 1/2 x 5 1/2) (sepia, photograph)

Photograph of a young woman in a lace blouse. Handwritten below the photograph "My Dearest Sister - Zula Williams, John H. Williams, Jr. This is an older photograph glued to a board backing.

Zula, My Dearest Sister, before 1920 (5 x 7) (b & w, photograph) View sample item.

Copy of the previous photograph.

Brookhaven High Olympian Society, 1915 (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

Copy of an old photograph. Zula Williams is identified holding the club sign in the middle of the front row. Identified on back "Back row - James Hamilton, Ralph Decell, Albert Muncy, Claude Smith, Wilroy Harris, John W. Bee, Bert Crisler. Middle row is not identified. Front row - Tinnie King, unidentified, Zula Williams, ? Chandler, Cordie Harrington, Betty Vee McRee".

Zula, 1920 -1930 (8 x 10) (b & w, photograph)

Zula Williams portrait as an adult.

Class of 1918, undated (8 x 10) (paper)

Old paper with typed list of names of class members. Typing is very faded. Names listed are: Ralph Anderson, John Willard Bee, Robert Bowen, Frances Barge, Hubert Brennan, Roy Chandler, Serdie Marlington - unclear, Ella Mae Jones, Lucy McLauren, Vivian Mueller, Evie May, Bettie V. McRee, Mary Lee Naul, Wessie Oliver, Bessie Norton, John Williams, John Gerard, Bell Jones, Tinnie King.

Family Tree, undated (33 x 10 1/2) (folded yellow legal paper)

Handwritten family tree chart for John H. Williams.

R. J. Williams, before 1920 (8 x 5) (sepia, photograph)

House with fenced yard and person sitting on porch. This photograph is glued to a board backing. Handwritten on back "R. J. Williams and Residence, Picayune, Miss."

John and Kathleen, April 1924 (10 x 8 ) (sepia, photograph)

Man and woman seated outside. Handwritten on back "John H. Williams, 1902, and Kathleen Wolfe Williams, 1897 - 1962, married April 13, 1924 (Sunday) in Brookhaven, Miss. at 1st Baptist Church in Pastor's Study. Rev. J. A. Taylor (officiating). Honeymoon at St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, La."

Two Girls, before 1930 (5 x 7) (b & w, photograph)

Two unidentified girls. The name "Willie" is written on the back, but does not appear to be an identification. Found with family photographs.

Nellie Wolfe, 1935 (5 x 7) (sepia, photograph) View sample item.

Woman with bow at neckline. Handwritten on back "Nellie Wolfe, Brookhaven, Ms. about 1935.

John and Kathleen, 1950 - 1962 (3 x 4 1/2) (color, photograph)

Kathleen is standing next to John holding a flower. Both are smiling.

Kathleen, 1950 - 1962 (3 x 4 1/2) (color, photograph)

Kathleen stands by a white corvette wearing a soft pink dress. On back "My dear wife, Kathleen Wolfe Williams. John H. Williams Jr. and Kathleen Wolfe were married in Pastor's Study on April 13, 1924 by Rev. J. A. Taylor, 1st Baptist Church, Brookhaven, Miss."

Kathleen, 1950 - 1962 (5 x 7) (color, photograph) View sample item.

Copy of previous photograph

John and John, 1950 (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

John H. Williams and John W. Williams sit at a table with bottles and glasses. On back "John H. Williams and John W. Williams in Boulevard Room, Stevens Hotel, Chicago, Ill. About 1950".

John Williams, undated (5 x 7) (b & w, photograph)

"John Williams" printed across bottom of photograph. Portrait of man in suit.

John and Kathleen, 1950 - 1960 (6 1/2 x 4 1/2) (color, photograph)

John and Kathleen walk closely together. This is a color enlargement made October 1962.

Artist at work, 1940 - 1980 (8 x 10) (b & w, photograph)

Woman seated at a table in the Art Studio, tinting photographs. She has been identified Mae Lynch, who worked in the shop for John Williams for many years. Several photographs of her daughter, Ann Lynch, are included in the collection.

Jodie, 1962 - 1990 (5 x 7) (b & w, photograph)

Jodie Williams, 2nd wife of John H. Williams

Jodie, 1962 - 1990 (8 x 10) (b & w, photograph)

This is an enlargement of the previous photograph. Handwritten on back "Jodie Lessley Williams, born 1916 at Woodville, Miss. Wife of John H. Williams, Brookhaven, Miss."

Award, 1950 - 1980 (10 x 8) (b & w, photograph)

Jodie Williams (2nd from left) receives a check from an unidentified woman. A second woman receives a check from Attorney, Pearce Phillips. From the number of law books on the wall, the setting is probably his office.

Christmas Visit, 1960 - 1990 (10 x 8) (color, photograph)

John Williams sits in a room holding a present with Christmas wrapping paper. A man sits to his left, and a woman kneels on his right.

Lions Club, April 21, 1936 (5 x 8) (4 p., Program)

"Charter Night, Lions Club, Brookhaven, Miss." John Williams was a member of the local Lions Club and is listed on the back page as a Charter Member.

Brookhaven Trust, November 4, 2004 (5 x 8) (4 p., Program)

"The Brookhaven Trust Presents A Taste of the Trust". This is the program from the fund raiser used to finance the John H. Williams project.

Brookhaven Trust, 2004 (7 1/2 x 8) (vertical, quarter-fold brochure)

"A Legacy, The Brookhaven Trust" is a 8 page brochure describing the activities and purpose of The Brookhaven Trust.

Brookhaven Trust, 2004 (8 x 10) (white bag with sticker)

These bags were handed out at the Taste of the Trust fundraiser. The 2 previous documents were in the bag.

Brookhaven Trust, 2004 (8 1/4 x 7) (newspaper clipping)

Pictures from the Past is a newspaper clipping. In the photograph Harold and Carroll Montgomery view photographs from the John H. Williams/ Brookhaven Trust Collection.

Box

Number

Miscellaneous Letters and Photographs

The second box of the Williams Collection contains miscellaneous letters, photographs, and snapshots related to his life and work. Most of the photographs and snapshots are unidentified. The letters relate to various individuals and their orders for pictures or equipment.

Photograph Album

The third box of the Williams Collection contains a photograph album which originally belonged to the Rea family of Wesson. The majority of the photographs remain in the album, however, the condition of the album is delicate.

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Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
Brookhaven, Mississippi