John Williams, a North Carolinian, was one of the earliest permanent settlers of Brown and Mills counties. He migrated to this area in 1855 and helped start the local cattle industry. The Williams Ranch settlement grew up around his homestead, and Herd Pen Branch of Mullin Creek took its name from his roundup pens. Married to Annie Epley, he had five sons, William L., George W., John T., James D., and David A., and one daughter, Elizabeth C., all pioneers of the community.