In all the research I did for The Maybelline Story, I found our family had quite a romantic pastMy great grandmother, Susan Anna Alvey. This picture was taken in 1877 when she was only 16 years of age and considered a great beauty. My great grandfather, Sheriff Thomas Jefferson Williams, was the local tax collector, and fearless when it came to doing the right thing. Susan Anna Alvey Williams, and Sheriff TJ, had six children, the most famous being Tom Lyle Williams, owner of the Maybelline Company. When she died of the great flu in 1919, Sheriff TJ, kept the books for Tom Lyle during the early years of Lash -Brow-Ine, and Maybelline.
My grandfather Preston and his little sister Eva, 1909.The 500 acre family farm and homestead was over 100 years old by the time the Williams kids were born, and by 1916, the farm was sold, so the family could move to Chicago and help Tom Lyle with his little Maybelline Company.TJ and Anna's third grandchild, and their son, Noel James and Frances Williams second child, Annette Williams, plays with the chickens in Morganfield.The country story included the local post office, photography studio, soda fountain, and supply store. it even acted as a saloon, before Prohibition was passed in 1920.Noel James', wife Frances, with their two girls, Helen and Annette, in Morganfield. The family, now living in Chicago, worked for Tom Lyle and his Maybelline Company.
Little Helen, with the chickens in Morganfield. Little Annette in the chicken coop.
Sheriff TJ with his fourth grandchild, my father William Preston Williams, in 1924. Sheriff Thomas Jefferson with his son, Tom Lyle Williams, and his first grandchild, Tom Lyle Williams Jr. in Chicago, 1934.
Read more about Morganfield and the early days of Maybelline in my book The Maybelline Story.