Williamson, James Alexander, 1829-1902

James A. Williamson was born March 1829 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina to Reverend Samuel and Jane Williamson. After graduating from Davidson College in 1845, the younger Williamson returned home to work on the family farm. In 1851 he went to Charleston, South Carolina to study law and was admitted to the bar the following year. The Williamson Family moved to Hempstead County, Arkansas in 1857. James worked on the family farm until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. He was appointed 1st lieutenant of Co. H, 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles on August 4, 1861 and was elected captain of the unit the following month. When the army was re-organized in May 1862, Williamson was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. On November 8, 1862, he was elevated to the rank of colonel following the departure of Colonel Harris Flanagin, who had just been elected Confederate governor of Arkansas. Williamson was seriously wounded at Resaca, Georgia on May 18, 1864 and his left leg was subsequently amputated. After the War, Williamson returned to Hempstead County and briefly resumed his law practice before becoming a successful planter. He also served two terms in the state legislature as both representative (1877-1878) and senator (1893-1894). Williamson died at Charleston, Franklin County, Arkansas on November 25, 1906.