Titus County, Texas History - I.N. Williams Dry Goods Store

Isaac N. Williams, Senior was one of Mount Pleasant's pioneer businessmen. Born in Tennessee in 1838, he came to Titus County in 1854. He first opened a store at Black's Mill, near the Ripley community north of Mt. Pleasant, in 1872 and operated it for about eight years. Isaac married Mary Louisa Bridges, daughter of Aurelious Bridges who gave the land for the Bridges Chapel Methodist Church-and for whom Bridges Chapel is named. They had two sons, John (1863 - 1880) and Wilburn (1866 -1876). Mary Louisa died June 9, 1868, possibly during childbirth while having twins.

In 1880, Williams moved to Mt. Pleasant. He married Leah Jane Lazarus in 1881 and he and his family lived in a modest home on the southeast corner of what is now North Madison and West Fifth Streets. Isaac Williams and his family operated a dry goods store and Mt. Pleasant's first opera house on the east side of the Court House square. The I.N. Williams store and opera house was located in a two story brick building located at what is now 114 North Jefferson. The dry goods store occupied the ground floor, and the opera house the second floor.

Fire destroyed the Titus County Court House in 1895, and construction of its replacement, our current court house, was not completed until 1896. Court was held in the second floor opera house of the Williams building while the new court house was being built.

After I.N. Williams passed away on December 11, 1898 and is buried in Masonic Cemetery. His widow Leah continued to operate the business for several years after his death and was a very successful and competent business woman. Leah owned lots of property in Titus and other counties, including some in Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas before she died in 1925 at age 68. She took great interest in her children, her town and Titus County. She was a great believer in the future of Mt. Pleasant and contributed generously to causes that were beneficial to Mt. Pleasant and Titus County.

I.N. Williams Store in 1898 - (Photo BI-0047)

The writing above this photo says "I.N. Williams Store 1898. Now where Babcock's Store is."

I.N. Williams, Senior is the man with the black hat and beard standing next to the large box near the center of the photo. To his right (toward left side of photo) is John Evans Williams, I.N. Williams, Senior's brother who kept the store's books. Annye Hynes Williams is the lady on the left. We don't know who the two other men are.

Mrs. I.N. Williams, Sr. - (Photo BI-0051)

Mrs. Leah Williams continued to run the store after I.N.'s death in 1898. I.N. originally hired her as a milliner for his store, and the family said that she made beautiful hats. In this sale brochure, Mrs. Williams was running a hat sale. The brochure reads:

"I thank you for your heavy patronage given me this season. To show you how I merit it, I send you som samples of [paper torn] gains in Dress Goods, et cetera.

Pattern Hats worth $7.00 at $4.00

Nice Trimmed Hats worth $4.00 at $2.00

Draped Sailor's and Children's hats in endless variety.

Mrs. I.N. Williams

Assisted by: Miss Eula Wood and Miss Mabel Williams"

I.N. Williams Store Promissory Note - (Photo BI-0050)

Like most early businessmen, I.N. Williams sold merchandise on credit. Farming was Titus County's main industry in the latter 1800's and early 1900's, and many farmers ran low on money and had to borrow or use credit until their crop for the year came in. Some lines of credit were secured by only signatures, while it was common for others to be secured by liens on wagons, crops, and other tangible items.

This note, dated November 1, 1894 was a written promise to pay for $25.25 in merchandise purchased on credit. The note's $25.25 principal plus 10% interest was due on January 14, 1895.

We blacked the borrower's name, but examine the signature lines closely. John's full name was written out, but not by him. The "X" in the center is labeled "His Mark", indicating that John could not read or write. The "X" mark acted as his signature.

Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas

Thursday, June 16, 1932

Work Has Started On Reconstruction Of Williams Bldg.

Work was begun Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the reconstruction of the Williams building on the east side of the square which was almost entirely destroyed by fire on the night of May 14th.

This is a two-story building, and the lower floor will again be occupied by Perry Brothers, who suffered heavy loss when the building burned.

The front of the second story will be occupied by the law firm of Williams & Williams, and spacious and comfortable offices will be arranged for this firm. Perry Brothers will also use a portion of the upper story for storage.

Much of the building will be rebuilt, but the front will show little change, as it was damaged but little by the fire.