The Williams Families of Boone County, Iowa

One of the earliest pioneers of Douglas township and one to whose memory high honor is still paid by all who knew him was Benjamin Williams, who located at Elk Rapids in the spring of 1847. He was a frontiersman of the sturdy type who unflinchingly took upon his shoulders the hardest work and who carried to success all undertakings which he began. He was one of the trail blazers for the civilization that came in his wake and that made Iowa the prosperous state which it is today — the civilization that brought comfort, education and untold opportunities to those who came after the pioneer era. As regards the early history of Boone county, a nicht of honor has to be conceded to Benjamin Williams.

Mr. Williams was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1817 and while yet a small boy moved overland with his parents to Putnam county, Indiana, which remained his home until his early manhood. There he married Elsa Ann Strong, the young couple afterward removing to Illinois. In the fall of 1846 he came by the overland route to Iowa and in the spring of 1847 located at Elk Rapids, Douglas township. His wife died not long afterward, having borne him six children: Mrs. Sarah Risler, deceased; John, deceased: Spencer, a Union soldier who died during the great conflict between the North and the South; Margaret, of Colorado; Henry, deceased; and Isaac, also residing in Colorado. Subsequently Mr. Williams returned to Indiana, where he married America Mcintosh, who died after four years of wedded life, at Elk Rapids, Iowa, leaving three children: Mrs. Mary Westbrook, of Terre Haute, Indiana: Joseph, deceased; and George, of Colorado. On September 13, 1857, Mr. Williams contracted another union, marrying in Worth township. Boone county, Mrs. Elizabel:h Goodrich, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, August 10, 1832. There she grew to womanhood. Her first husband was Perry Goodrich, who was born in Vigo county, Indiana, and died near Bowling Green, that state, at the early age of thirty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich had three children. Daniel B. resides in Terre Haute, Indiana. Mrs. Julia Harvey, born in Putnam county, Indiana, March 20, 1853, died in Boone, Iowa, August 22, 1912. In 1868 she married William M. Harvey, by whom she had four children: Nellie E. Harvey, of Boone, one of the most successful teachers of this county; Wilan. AM) MKS. BKXJAMIN WILLIAMS

Ham H. Harvey, of Des Moines; Ernest Harvey, who died Marcii 8, 1897; and Mrs. Pearl McNeil, of Boone, Iowa. Mary, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Williams had ten children, of whom five died quite young. The other five were: Hannah, who passed away at the age of fourteen;.Scuire B., born May 13, 1860, who died at Madrid, April 14, 1912; W. H., who was born March 7, 1863, and is a successful live-stock buyer in Madrid; Perry O., of Des Moines; and Mrs. Alice A. Wells, who was born December 1, 1866, and died in Madrid, July 19, 1897. She married Charles E. Wells, October 17, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Wells had three sons: Emory, born in February, 1886, who was educated in the Madrid public schools and then served four years in the United States navy, now residing at Woodward, Iowa; Vaughn H., born March 4, 1889, of Woodward: and Gail, born June 25, 1895, who is attending school at Washington, D. C. For many years these children received the loving care of their grandmother, Mrs. Benjamin Williams, and being particularly near her heart, it is but fitting and proper that their names should be embodied in this review.

When Mr. Williams came to Iowa no railroads traversed the prairies. Des Moines was a hamlet of log huts, and Boone county was a wilderness. No mill, no store, no shop, no church, no.schoolhouse could be found within a hundred miles. The nearest trading points were Iowa City and Keokuk. From these facts it is not difficult to reduce what obstacles confronted the young pioneer from Indiana. That he conquered and that he won a livelihood and competence is to be ascribed to his perseverance, his industry and his sturdiness of character. As the years rolled by his material resources increased, and his thriftiness bore fruit. Moreover, he established himself in the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens, who looked up to him in admiration and turned to him for advice and counsel, Although he was a forceful man, he was tenderhearted and ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who were struggling with adverse circumstances or who had fallen by the wayside. Mr. Williams was a democrat and loyal to his political profession. He was a member of the Baptist church, to which Mrs. Williams also gives her adherence. He stood high in his church and his community and by his honorable conduct reflected honor upon his section. The betterment of individual and community was nearest his heart, and every act he undertook he considered conscientiously, judging it from the standpoint in which it would be seen by his contemporaries. He was successful and secured a competency because he put his heart in his work and because he followed honorable methods. His death was a severe blow not only to his immediate family but to all who knew him, and his memory is kept alive because of the influence which his strong personality exerted upon the growth of his part of the state. Gathered to his fathers in the flesh, his spirit lives in the progressive works of the present generation, the accomplishment of which was made possible by his pioneer labors.

Mrs. Williams is passing her declining years in a handsome home in Madrid. "Aunt Betty," as she is familiarly called, is a favorite with all and a welcome visitor to all the homes of the community. She has the brave spirit of her famous ancestor, Daniel Boone, her maiden name being Boone and she being a direct descendant of the great pioneer, and this courage has enabled her to worthily perform the duties that have fallen to her lot in a long life filled with helpful activity. The respect and tenderness shown her by friends and relatives are hers by right, and it can be truthfully said that by her sunny disposition she has dispelled more gathering clouds than any other individual in the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SQUIRE B. WILLIAMS.

Si pure B. Williams, who is numbered among the business men of Madrid, where he is actively connected with the grain trade, is one of Iowa's native sons; indeed, Boone county claims him among her native citizens, for his birth here occurred on the 13th of May. 1860. He is a son of Benjamin Williams, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Indiana during his childhood, becoming a resident of Putnam county. where he was reared and educated. He also married there and in 1847 came to Iowa, settling in Boone county, where he purchased land which he cleared and developed, transforming the raw tract into a productive farm. Subsequently he sold that and purchased a place near Madrid and engaged there in farming and further improved that property. There he reared his family and made his home until he was called to his final rest in February, 1883, when sixty-six years of age. He was three times married, his last marriage being to a widow, Mr-. Elizabeth Goodrich, a daughter of Square Boone, who was another of the early settlers of the county.

Sqitire B. Williams, of this review, is one of a family of four children that reached mature years, horn of the last marriage. Me was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, pursuing his studies in the common schools. He remained with his father upon the farm until after he had arrived at man's estate and was prepared to start out in life on his own account. He then followed farming for one year and a half, when he became engaged in the livery business in Madrid, conducting that enterprise for four years. He was then appointed postmaster under President Cleveland and filled the position for one term in a manner which reflected credit upon himself and the office. Upon his retirement from that position he turned his attention to the grain business, becoming connected with the McFarland Grain Company, with which he was associated for twelve years, having the management of the business here. He then bought out an established business on the ist of August, 1900, and has since carried on the grain trade on his own account. He now makes extensive purchases and shipments, sending on an average of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred carloads of grain annually to the city markets. He is also a stockholder in the Madrid State Bank and is widely recognized as a business man of importance who carries forward to a successful completion whatever he undertakes. On the 29th of September, 1883. Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Bilsland, a daughter of John 1 * i 1 s - land. She was reared and educated in Boone county and has become the mother of two interesting children: Edna and Dorothy. Mr. Williams is a stanch Democrat, having voted with the party since casting his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland in [884. In addition to tilling the position of postmaster he has served city treasurer for two years and was most loyal and faithful to the duties of his office. He has been a delegate to the county convention of his party. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, having become a Mason in Star Lodge. No. 115, F. & A. M. He has served as treasurer of the lodge for the past six years and in his life he shows forth the beneficent spirit of the fraternity, which is based upon brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness. Both he and his wife are active and valued members of the Christian church and for ten years have sung in the choir. Mrs. Williams has a fine soprano voice and is a noted vocalist of this locality. Both are held in high esteem throughout the community and their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JESSE C. WILLIAMS.

[esse C. Williams, who is extensively engaged in farming on section 24, Marcy township, has made his home in Boone county since April 6, 1851, when he came to this locality with his father. Comparatb of the residents of the county have so long resided within its borders, and classed among the honored pioneer settlers Mr. Williams well deserves representation in this volume. He was born in Henry county, Kentucky. April 2, 1825. and is a son of Jesse and Susanna (Simmons) Williams, both of whom were natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Kentucky, where the father engaged in farming until the year 1828. At that time lie became a resident of Montgomery county. Indiana, where he purchased a farm, residing thereon until be came to this state in 1850. At that time he settled near Des Moines, but after a year came to Boone county arriving in April, 1851. He took up his above in Cass township and there he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, lie was one of the earliest settlers in the community and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present progress and improvement of the locality. He died in 1854, while his wife passed away in 1869. In their family were eight children, but Polly, Annie. John. Nancy and Samuel are all deceased. The next is Jesse C, of this review. Sanford 1' the seventh. now resides upon the old homestead in Cass township, while Francis, the youngest of the family, is deceased.

When the Family came to Boone county the fa'ber and two.if his sons located in (ass township, but Jesse ( '. Williams came tk> Marcy township and took up his above on his present farm. He had spent the years of his minority in his native state and was about twenty-five years of age when the family came to Iowa. lie was die first settler in his part of Marcy township and secured his farm through a land warrant. He also bought land on the River Company and thus secured a very large tract, being to-day one of the extensive land owners of the community. lie has three hundred and twenty acres, all in Marcy township, and has been numbered among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of this portion of the state.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN T. S. WILLIAMS.

John T. S. Williams, -one of the leading and respected citizens of Boone county, where he has resided continuously for the past forty-five years, has since 1907 lived retired in Ogden. He has reached the ripe old age of seventy-nine years, his birth having occurred in Canada on the 31st of August, 1835. His parents were the Rev. Ebenezer and Margaret (Sheriff) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Scotland.

In 1869, when a young man of thirty-four years, John T. S. Williams came to Boone county, Iowa, from Wisconsin, purchasing land in Beaver township which he improved and cultivated until 1879. He was then elected county treasurer and filled the office with credit for two years, on the expiration of which period he embarked in the general mercantile business at Ogden, conducting an enterprise of that character for six years. Subsequently he again devoted his attention to farming for a year but at the end of that time returned to Ogden, where he was successfully engaged in the implement business until 1893. In that year he was appointed postmaster under President Cleveland and for four years ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connection. Afterward he embarked in the real-estate business and was thus successfully engaged until 1907, since which time he has lived retired. He owns a handsome residence in Ogden and also has considerable farm property.

On the 20th of October, 1858, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Jane Thomas, a daughter of William and Mary (Bowden) Thomas, who were natives of England. Unto our subject and his wife were born seven children, as follows: G. K., who operates his father's farm in Boone county; Charles H., ' also an agriculturist of this county; Charlotte J., the wife of J. A. Nylander, who is living retired; Lilly S., who passed away on the 20th of October, 1909; Laura M., the wife of C. L. Thomas; Edgar R., who is the editor of the Ogden

Reporter; and Amy F., the wife of J. C. Davis, who is dean of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mr. Williams is a democrat in his political views and for a number of years abl_\ served as clerk of Beaver township, which he organized. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and has benefited by his labors on the school board, of which he long served as secretary. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is an honored pioneer of his community and has not only witnessed its growth but has earnestly aided in the work of development and upbuilding. The circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, for his life has ever been such as to win for him the esteem and regard of all with whom he has come in contact.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

G. K. WILLIAMS.

G. K. Williams is to be accounted one of the most substantial farmers of Boone county, owning one hundred and fifteen acres on section 13, Beaver township. He has achieved local fame as stock-raiser, giving particular attention to Shropshire sheep and Duroc Jersey hogs. The magnitude of his farm operations is indicated in the fact that he always keeps about fifteen head of horses. G. K. Williams was born in Wisconsin in January, 1861, and is a son of John T. S. and Jane Williams, more extensive mention of whom is made in another part of this work.

G. K. Williams was reared and educated in Wisconsin and Boone county, Iowa. He grew up under the care of his parents, and when they left the farm he remained to take full charge. He has operated the same ever since. Mr. Williams has one hundred and fifteen acres in his home place, which lies entirely on section 13, Beaver township. His buildings are substantial and kept well in repair, and he has installed the most modern farm equipment and machinery in order to facilitate labor. He gives particular attention to stock-raising and has attained a wide reputation as a breeder of Shropshire sheep and Duroc Jersey hogs. He also farms in connection with the homestead two hundred acres adjoining his farm on the south. "*

On February 3, 1897, G. K. Williams married Miss Margaret Rockwell, a daughter of James L. and Mary E. (Tattersall) Rockwell, natives of Xew York. The father was a blacksmith by trade and early in life went to Minnesota, where he remained until the war broke out. He enlisted and served for one year in a minnesota regiment, being sent home at the end of that period on account of disability. He now makes his home with his children, his wife having died in June, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of Helen J., John L. and James T. S. Williams, who are respectively fifteen, fourteen and six years of age.

For several terms Mr. Williams has served as township trustee of Beaver township and has proven himself in that office and along many other* lines a progressive and loyal citizen. He is interested in moral and intellectual development as much as in material achievement, and, while he has earned a competency, he has been an important factor in the development of his section, particularly along agricultural lines. His political belief is that of the democratic party, and he is loyal in his support of its measures and candidates. He is a man who practices Christianity. Mr. Williams has many friends in Beaver township and well merits the esteem and confidence which he enjoys.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES H. WILLIAMS.

Charles H. Williams is not only a successful agriculturist of Marcy township, but for a number of years was connected with business affairs, dealing in grain, live stock and implements in Ogden. He was born in Wisconsin on July 13, 1861, and is a son of John T. S. and Jane Williams, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Williams of this review attended school in Wisconsin, completing his education in Boone county. He remained on his father's farm until the latter engaged in the mercantile business, when Charles Williams became a clerk for him. continuing so for about eight months. At the end of that time he went to Mitchell, South Dakota, where he remained a year, after which he returned, farming the old home place in association with his brother. He then moved onto eighty acres which his father gave him and which are situated on section i8, Marcy township. He gave his sole attention to improving this place and has operated the same ever since, having transformed it into one of the most lucrative agricultural properties of the neighborhood. In 1904 he engaged in the implement, grain and live-stock business in Ogden in partnership with Nylander Brothers, the firm being known as Nylander Brothers & Williams. They continued for about eight years, when they liquidated their business. Mr. Williams has since given his sole time to his farm, which stands as evidence of his incessant industry and his enterprise. He today not only enjoys the distinction of owning one of the most profitable farms of Marcy township, but he must be numbered among those men who are forces in the development of their district.

On September 9, 1885, Charles H. Williams married Miss Delia Bennett, a daughter of John and Nanny (Crase) Bennett, natives of England. The parents came to America many years ago and in the '40s located in Wisconsin. During the gold excitement Mr. Bennett made for the Golden state and during the wild years of the gold fever was killed there. His widow survived him many years, passing away August i. 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have three children: Olive M., the wife of Al Berglund, residents of Boone; Lillian Fern, aged fifteen; and Margaret L., who is thirteen. Mr. Williams has always taken a laudable interest in educational matters and at present is president of the school board. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Along agricultural lines he specializes in cattle-raising and markets about a carload of cattle yearly. He is a valuable and useful citizen and has contributed his full share toward that development which has brought prosperity to Iowa.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EDGAR R. WILLIAMS.

Edgar R. Williams, one of the former owners and editors of the Ogden Reporter, published at Ogden, Boone county, was born south of this city on the isth of June, 1873, his parents being John T. S. and Jane (Thomas) Williams, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Wisconsin. They became pioneer residents of Boone county as is indicated in the sketch of John T. S. Williams on another page of this volume.

Edgar R. Williams was reared and educated in this county and is indebted to the public-school system for the opportunities which he received for intellectual progress. During the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and early became familiar with all the duties of farm life, continuing to assist his father in the various branches of farm work until he reached the age of twenty years. Thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than the farm work, he began learning the printer's trade in the office which he later owned. He was there employed for about eight years and mastered the business in principle and detail. He was afterward employed in various other places and in 1904 purchased the Ogden Reporter, while later he admitted Mr. Carl Lund to a partnership. They operated the plant continuously for a number of years and made the Reporter an interesting paper, with a good patronage in both the circulation and advertising departments. They followed the methods of modern journalism, and the success of the paper was a natural result of their close application and unfaltering energy.

Mr. Williams was married in September, 1902, to Miss Elizabeth Thompson, a daughter of William and Tillie (Latimer) Thompson, residents of Greene county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Williams had one child, Thelma, who died in 1903 in infancy. The family residence is a comfortable home at the corner of First and Walnut streets in Ogden. Mr. Williams belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge in Boone, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. His political support is given to the republican party, and he made his paper one of the organs in its support, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon other interests and duties. He has become widely known through his activity in the newspaper field and enjoys the confidence and good will of the general public.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Chris Williams is successfully engaged in business as a grain merchant of Boone in association with B. M. Huntley. His birth occurred in LaSalle county, Illinois, on the 30th of October. 1866, his parents being William and Cecelia (Twait) Williams, both of whom were natives of Norway. They emigrated to the United States in the early '50s, locating in Illinois, where the father followed general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away in January, 1900, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1800.

After attaining his majority Chris Williams started out as an agriculturist, cultivating rented land for about two years. Subsequently he was engaged in general merchandising at Norway, Illinois, for one year and in 1894 removed to Stratford, Hamilton county, Iowa, where he carried on a grain business until

1909. In that year he came to Boone and for about twelve months was here engaged in the automobile business. Later he formed a partnership with B. M. Huntley and has since successfully conducted business as a grain merchant, the firm buying and shipping grain on an extensive scale.

On the lath of April, 1897, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Maria Jackson, a native of LaSalle county, Illinois, by whom he has three children, as follows: Herschel Ortho, who was born on the 6th of June, 1898: Sheldon Wesley, whose birth occurred December 18, 1902; and Mario Cyril, whose natal day was July 13, 1907. Mr. Williams 'gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is known as a steady, reliable, persevering man and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. This reputation has made him a person on whom his associates can always depend and the permeating influence of his life is set forth in an upright character and in straightforward dealings in both social and business circles.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.