Judge John Williams is recognized by historians as being the first settler of Lawrence County. John Williams was born Sept. 8, 1782, in Surry County, North Carolina, son of John and Margaret (Edgeman) Williams. Little is known of his ancestry. His father, John was born in 1751, in Louisa County, Virginia, and by 1780, was living in Surry Co., N. C. Between 1780 and 1800, the family moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee, where the father died in 1807. John Williams married Abigail Smith, and by 1814, they were living in Maury County, Tennessee. The mother later moved to Maury County, where she died about 1824.

In 1830, Judge Williams rode horseback to Southwest Missouri, selected land on which to settle, and returned to Tennessee for his family. He and a group of Tennesseans organized a band of settlers to move to Missouri. Among these were the families of George M. Gibson, James M. White, Daniel Real, John Williams, and his son Samuel S. Williams.

Tradition says these settlers reached the eastern edge of the present County in late October, 1831, and some of them became disheartened. Part of them turned back returning to an abandoned Indian camp south of Springfield. Judge Williams and his son, Samuel S. Williams decided to press on and settled 3 1/2 miles southeast of Mt. Vernon. From this incident the stream was called Turnback, the name by which it is known to this day. The other families later settled near Verona. Samuel S. Williams moved 3 miles west of Mt. Vernon, in 1833. The Williams home was always open for religious services, meetings, and social get-together. He was an early member of the Center Creek congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; later a charter member of the Spring River Congregation (Zion), and one of the first Elders. Judge John Williams served as the first Assessor for Greene County in 1833. This work required 84 days, and he received $1.50 a day. Williams was a commissioner for selection or the first Barry County Seat (Mt. Pleasant), just west of Pierce City, In 1835. He was also foreman of the first Grand Jury in Lawrence County. Williams and his sons became extensive land owners around Mt. Vernon. They brought 8 to 10 slaves with them from Tennessee.

After the death of his first wife, John Williams married Rebecca Harris, Mar, 21, 1837, in Greene County. She Died January 10, 1853, and is buried at Roberts. On April 15,1859, he married his third wife, Nancy M. Owen of Barry County. He moved to Barry County and lived there until his death, which occurred May 1, 1864. Burial was in Roberts Cemetery.

A historic marker, commemorating the first settlement in Lawrence County, was erected at the old Williams homestead in 1931.

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