Based on the age of the children, this picture was taken about 1895.

Born: 4/23/1859 Osceola, AR Died: 11/15/1901 Jonesboro, AR Buried: Married: Maude Dunn 17 Mar, 1885 Pensacola, FL Born: 2 Nov, 1865 Quebec, Canada Died: 29 Jun, 1918 Muncie, IN According to the records of Mama Nelle Williams Holthouse.

	Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas page 567 Edward H. Williams. He whose name heads this brief sketch is one of Mississippi County's most active and enterprising business men, alive to all current topics, and public-spirited and progressive in all matters tending to benefit the community.   He was born near Elmot, in 1859, his parents being James H. and Nellie (Heath) Williams [for whose history see sketch of James H. Williams]. As Edward grew toward youth and [p.567] early manhood he attended school in the neighborhood of his home, and worked on the farm for his father until he was twenty-one years old, at which time he engaged as a clerk for A. Goodrich of Osceola, with whom he remained one year.   After renting and tilling his father's farm for two years, he started from home with the intention of going to Florida, but stopped in Alabama, and attended school at Florence for some six months, after which he concluded that his native State was good enough to suit him, so he returned and went into business with D. T. Waller, which partnership was dissolved at the end of twenty months, Mr. Waller purchasing his interest.   He then bought out N. W. Goodrich, and for two years was associated with A. Goodrich. purchasing his partner's interest at the end of that time; he has conducted affairs in a very satisfactory manner, proving himself to be a man of rare business ability and efficiency. He keeps an excellent assortment of general merchandise, his stock being valued at about $4,000, and has won the reputation of being one of the first business men in Mississippi County.   He is enterprising and energetic, studying largely the interests of the people, and fully justifies the confidence and esteem which are bestowed upon him. In connection with his mercantile interests he is managing his father's farm, growing cotton, and has been postmaster at Elmot since May, 1885.   His estimable wife was formerly Miss Maude Dunn, of Pensacola, Fla., to whom he was married on the 17th of March, 1885, and by her he has one child, Edward James. Mrs. Williams is connected with the Catholic Church.

Click here to see pictures of all the Dunn family graves in the historic St. Michael's cemetery in downtown Pensacola.

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Captain Edward Thomas Dunn Born 14 May, 1840 St. Albins, VT Died 22 Dec, 1904 Pensacola, FL Buried St. Machael's Cemetery, Pensacola, FL ------->   Mary Frances Connally Born 22 Jan, 1846 Quebec, Canada Died 9 Nov, 1895, Pensacola, FL Buried St. Machael's Cemetery, Pensacola, FL ------->

On the left is a typical steam vessel seen in the Pensacola area in 1898 and on the right is a picture of the port in 1898.

Click here to read about the disasterous 1880 fire in downtown Pensacola that destroyed the Dunn Exchange on Palafox Street owned by the parents of Maude Dunn.

	Edward Heath Williams, born April 23, 1859, died Nov. 15, 1901, Osceola, Ark.  He attended the local schools and worked on his father’s farm.   At age 21 he became a clerk for A. Goodrich of Osceola where he remained for one year. After renting and tilling his fathers land for two years he left home with the intention of going to Florida, but stopped in Alabama, and attended school in Florence for about 6 months.  He then concluded that his native state was good enough for him and he returned home.   While traveling for his health he met a young lady who was on her way home after attending "finishing school" in Alabama - they met on a train.  Edward was attracted to her and pursued her. Her father hired an agency in Memphis to investigate Edward's background before he allowed a courtship.  Evidently the father was pleased with his findings and the young lady willing to be­come Mrs. Edward Heath Williams as they became man and wife.   Maud Dunn  Williams was born Nov. 2, 1865 in Quebec, Canada.  She died in Muncie, Ind. June 29, 1918.   Her home when they met was in Pensacola, Fla.  They were married Mar. 17, 1885.  They were the parents of Nelle Williams born Oct. 29, 1891, married B.G.Holthouse .  She died in Lawrenceburg, Tn. Oct. 13, 1973.  She was born in Luxora, Ark.   After their return to Arkansas he went into business with D.T.Waller.  After about 20 months he sold his interest to Mr. Waller .  He then bought out Mr. Goodrich for whom he had worked earlier.  In connection with his mercantile business he managed his fathers farm, growing cotton and was postmaster at Elmot, Ark.  Mrs. Williams was a member of the Catholic church. Edward was the son of James H. Williams who had been sent to Arkansas by his father in Nashville, TN to manage his farms, along with his wife and young daughter.  He led a long and successful life in Luxora, AR just outside of Osceola on the Mississippi river. Ed prospered as a farmer and merchant in Luxora and Osceola, AR and was one of Mississippi county's largest land owners at the time of his death. He moved to Jonesboro, AR in 1900 and was in the insurance business there. In 1901, at 42 years of age, he died at home on Washington Street following nearly a month of fever and typhoid pneumonia. (He contracted pneumonia following a trip on horseback where he was caught in a rainstorm while looking after one of his farms according to family oral history). He was buried in the Jonesboro city cemetery on Sunday afternoon following the funeral at the Methodist Church. Relatives attending the funeral included: His brothers, Will Williams of Mariana, AR, and H. Williams of Birmingham, AL. Cousin, Elliott Williams of Luxora, AR who was the son of John W. Williams.  John was the son of Williams Williams (brother of Ed's father James H. Williams).  He had graduated at  the Nashville University in 1841, surveyed land in Texas several years, read law, married Martha (youngest daughter of Graves Pennington of Davidson County TN) and then purchased a farm in Mississippi County AR.  When his wife died he married Anna, eldest daughter of Col. Elliot Fletcher of AR.  They had three children, Susan, Sally and Elliot. Mesdames A. G. Cartwright and W. B. Calhoun, sisters of Mrs. Williams. Frank Dunn of Pensacola, FL, brother of Mrs. Williams.

	Manila Ark. 7/9, 1901   My darling wife,               I got here 4:30 yesterday eve.  Am feeling rather blue over failure of my crop.  I have been all over it this morn and will say I am blue over it and doubt it will make a crop unless it rains some more.  Cotton needing rain also.  No news.  I will be giving more time this week.  Can’t say when I will get home, likely any time.   Love to all.  Am so blue I am sorry I couldn’t deliver with a lot of land and money to get set. I am, your Hubby, Ed H. Williams   Unfortunately, have all AM.   I heard (illegible) would like to cook for us.  Do not.   Hire Amy (Illegible) for a day or so.  She may go over tomorrow.  Can’t say.  Loving, Ed Click to view the original letter in Acrobat Viewer Manila Ark. Oct 22, 1901   My darling wife,               I am still alive this morning.  I got up and ate breakfast before sunup.   Yes, a little after daylight.    Another go every time.  Am now in town.   I am feeling fully as well or a little better than when I left home.   No news here.   I will try and put in a good week picking cotton.  Only got out 3 bales last week.  I will try and do better this week.   No news.   All well at farm (illegible) but some of hands are sick.   I love hearing from you.   Love to all and lots to my wife mixed with kisses.   I am yours, Ed H. Williams    Click to view the original letter in Acrobat Viewer

Marriage of Ed Heath Williams to Maude Dunn 3/17/1885

The wedding was held at the residence of Mr. and Mr. E. T. Dunn, North Palafox Street with Rev. Father Tobin officiating.

The attendants were Frank Maura with Clara Dunn, sister of the bride and W. H. Knowles with Lena Williams, sister of the groom. Following the service and the reception the couple left for Elmot, AR which was to be their home.

Maude Dunn

Mama Nelle's note beside this clipping indicated "Maude Dunn Williams was born Nov 2, 1865 and died June 29, 1918",