Biographies: Carl A. Williams, 1952, Winn Parish, La.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: August 14, 1952 Winn Parish Enterprise

Know Your Neighbor

Carl A. Williams Is Retired Winn Farmer

"Fourteen years younger than the Town of Winnfield," according to his own
calculations, Carl A. Williams, retired Ward Nine farmer and stock raiser, has
seen Winn Parish grow up from its early days to the state it now occupies.

Mr. Williams was born 80 years ago in Ward Two, and has lived in the Parish
all his life.  He is the son of the late Dr. D. B. Williams, a doctor, Baptist
preacher, and former police jury member from Ward Nine.

In an interview last weekend, Mr. Williams recalled that the present ward nine
was created by dividing ward one, which formerly took in that area.  His
father was offered the appointment as the first police jury member from the
new ward, but declined, recommending another man.  He later ran and was
elected.

It was during the elder Williams' term of office that the first steel bridges
were built in Winn Parish across Dugdemona.  Only one of four of the bridges
still remains.  Carl Williams was a member of the committee for building the
bridge now standing near the Julian McCartney place in Ward Two.  Other
members of the committee were D. B. Williams, H. M. Roberts, J. T. Porter, A.
S. Peters.  The bridge was built by M. S. Hasie of Dallas, Texas.

Other bridges were built at Rochelle, Colgrade, and Jordan Hill.

Mr. Williams stated that his grandfather, C. A. Maxwell, operated a ferry on
Dugdemona at the spot where the old bridge now stands.  It was on this ferry
that Mr. Williams first crossed Dugdemona.

Mr. Williams attended school at the Beech Creek Academy, now disbanded.  This
was one of the earliest schools in Winn.

The C. A. Williams', parents of nine children, live near Beulah Church, of
which Mr. Williams has served for many years as a deacon.  He now claims the
title of "retired deacon."  He also stated that C. R. McCartney served as the
first pastor of the church, having been called and ordained in a brush arbor
before the frame church was built.

Mr. Williams has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for 65 years
and has belonged to the Masonic Lodge for 50 years.

Of the Williams' nine children, all except one live within a radius of a few
miles around the "homestead."  A daughter lives near Grayson, furthest
from home of any.

The Williams' home is an early type structure, with the typical old-fashioned
hall down the middle.  One side is made of logs and was put there by
Mr. Williams after he moved there.  The other side, built first, is made
of heart pine lumber, hand hewn and dressed, with some boards as high as 18
inches wide.