From The Cullman Tribune, 14 Jan 1897
Submitted by Robin Sterling
W.A. Nesmith. As the sun crossed the meridian 59 years ago, W.A. Nesmith first saw the light of this bright world in Morgan county on Nov. 6.
There is probably no member of Cullman county’s official family who enjoys a larger and truer friendship, or who is better known throughout every nook and corner of the county, than is the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Nesmith followed that branch of trade that best teaches us the first principles of the foundation that affects our civil government--farming--during his younger days.
He serve three years in the Union army, and during the last nine months was sergeant of Gen. Sherman’s body guard. He entered the army as sergeant of company I, 1st Alabama cavalry, and some portions of the time commanded the regiment.
Mr. Nesmith was first favored politically by having been chosen by the people of Winston county as county surveyor, and when he came to Cullman county was favored with the same office, services in both counties aggregating 26 years; so when he was elected tax collector of Cullman county last August he was holding the above named office. The creditable manner in which he discharged the duties of the above office and the high esteem in which he is held, speaks through the tones of his handsome majority and triumphant election last August. In his present office he has proven a most efficient official, and in every way worthy of the confidence reposed in him. He is a staunch Populist and his standing in the county is above the pale of reproach; his word, his bond, is always to be relied upon, and his enterprise for the development of this section is never on the wane. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
From The Cullman Democrat, 2 Mar 1922
Submitted by Robin Sterling
William Nesmith Claimed by Death
Wm. Nesmith, one of the pioneer settlers of Cullman county died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Freeman, out eight miles from town on the Logan road, on Friday night. He was 84 years old at the time of his death.
The funeral took place Sunday at Livingston’s Chapel. A large number of relatives and friends from both Alabama and Tennessee, were present at the funeral.
Uncle "Buck" Nesmith, as he is familiarly known over the entire county, was the father of the county surveyor, John a. Nesmith of this city and the grandfather of Mrs. T.E. Johnston and Mrs. Conrad Thompson, of Cullman.
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.