John R. Williams (7) (1851–1927)

His first religious experience and practice were in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he was a member four years. In July, 1876, he abandoned the Methodist Church, and, following the way which to him seemed plainly taught in the New Testament, he was “baptized into Christ” by J. H. Roulhac, of Union City, Tenn. With such helps as he could get, he applied himself to the study of law, and April 3, 1883, he was licensed to practice law before the county and magistrate courts of Obion County, Tenn. He continued the study of law as he practiced in the minor courts till November 13, 1885, when he was licensed to practice law in all the courts of the State of Tennessee: In July, 1886, one year after he was enrolled as a regular attorney with authority to practice in all the courts of the State, he was invited to preach at Wilsonville, Tenn. In this way he began the life and work of a preacher, which he has continued to the present day. He has labored extensively and successfully as an evangelist in Tennessee, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky. He has held eight public discussions— four with Missionary Baptists and two with Second Adventists. He is an energetic, industrious, and enterprising citizen, as well as a devoted Christian and a successful evangelist.

West Tennessee's greatest missionary in the 1800s. Gospel preacher listed on Ligon's Portraiture of Preachers of 1899.