The Williams Families of Henry County, Illinois

GEORGE W. WILLIAMS.

George W. Williams, who since 1901 has acted as manager for the Galva Grain Elevator Company of Galva, was born in London, England, on the 2d of January, 1837. His parents were Thomas and Emma (Bentley) Williams, the former a native of Mortlake, Surrey county, England, while the latter's birth occurred at Stanstead, Hertfordshire, England. The paternal grandfather, George Williams, who was a native of England and a potter by trade, passed away in 1840. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Williams, also died in England. They reared a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, William Bentley, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was likewise a native of the Merrie isle. Unto him and his wife were born five children.

Thomas Williams, the father of George W. Williams, was a market gardener and salesman in his native country. In December, 1851, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his above on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Aictoria. Knox county, Illinois, and in August, 1852, was joined by his wife and children. His demise occurred in November, 1873, at the age of sixty years, while his wife passed away in February, 1878, when sixty-eight years of age. They were both devoted members of the Church of England. Their union was blessed with eight children, six of whom still survive, namely: George W., of this review; Mary Ann, the wife of J. B. Freed, of California; Thomas E., a resident of Lathrop, Missouri; Walter H., living in Victoria, Illinois;. Emily, the wife of L. D. Blackwood, of Lathrop, Missouri; and Alfred Charles, who also makes his home in Victoria, Illinois.

George W. Williams remained a resident of England until his sixteenth year, obtaining a good practical education in the common schools of that country. In 1852 he came to the United States in company with his mother and the other children of the family and continued to reside on his father's farm near Victoria, Illinois, until twenty years of age. He then made his way to what was then Calhoun county, now Jackson county, Kansas, and preempted a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. After residing thereon for three years he returned to Knox county, Illinois, in November, 1860, and there made his home until 1864. Subsequently he spent two years in Kentucky in the telegraph department of the government service and after returning to this state followed farming in Knox county for two years. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Galva, Henry county, where he was successfully engaged in the grain business until 1878. Subsequently he was engaged in the grain trade at Aledo, Mercer county, for ten years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Galva and here carried on his interests as a grain merchant until 1892. In that year he again went to Aledo but in October, 1901, returned to Galva and has since been identified with the business interests of this place as manager for the Galva Grain Elevator Company, He is widely recognized as a man of keen discrimination, sound judgment and excellent executive ability and is numbered among the most substantial and respected citizens of the community. In early manhood, during the years 1859, 1861 and 1862, he was engaged in teaching school, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired.

On the loth of December, 1866, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Azelia Helen Annis, a native of Knox county and a daughter of Eleson and Catharine (Meroe) Annis, both of whom were born in Maine and became early settlers of Knox county, this state. The father followed farming as a life work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Annis were born eleven children, five of whom still survive, as follows: Mrs. Mary Bonar; Mrs. Julia Ann Starboard; J. K.; Ellen Collinson; and Mrs. Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters: Minnie, living in Alberta, Canada, who is the wife of Robert B. Holmes, by whom she has two children — Vera Pauline and Robert I.; Thomas E., who is a resident of Riverside, California, and wedded Miss Robertina Mills on the loth of June, 1909; Kate, who resides near LaFayette and is the wife of Fred L. Keim, by whom she has four sons — Forrest, Fred, Rolland and Harold; Fred, living in Lushton, Nebraska, who married Miss Katie Strater and has two children — Grace and John Frederick; Ruth, who is at home; George, who is an electrical engineer residing at Muskogee, Oklahoma; and Grace, also at home. The last named has been a student in the Illinois University at Champaign for three years and won a scholarship in a contest.

Politically Mr. Williams is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the democracy. He was on the school board for a number of years and also capable served his fellow townsmen as a member of the city council. He was made a Mason in Kansas in November, 1858 and now belongs to Galva Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M., and Cyrus Chapter, No. 211, R. A. M., of Aledo. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. They have a commodious and attractive residence in the western part of town which is a favorite resort with their many friends.

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

THOMAS C. WILLIAMS.

Thomas C. Williams, deceased, was for many years identified with the farming interests of this county and was a veteran of the Civil war. Other features in his life work are equally creditable, and altogether his was an honorable record which has caused his memory to be enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him. He was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, August 14, 1836, his parents being James C. and Mary (Lindsey) Williams, both of whom were natives of the Blue Grass state. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1848 removed from Kentucky to Clayton, Illinois, where he resided until his death, which occurred when he was well advanced in years. His wife had passed away some years previous. They were the parents of nine children, two sons and seven daughters, all of whom are now deceased, with the exception of the eldest daughter, Mrs. M. J. Meats, of Clayton, Illinois.

Thomas C. Williams was reared in Clayton on the old home farm, his youthful days being passed in a manner similar to that of most farm boys who faced the necessity of assisting in the work of the fields, and at the same time had the opportunity of acquiring a fair English education in the public schools. He attended the district schools of Adams county, living at home until he attained his majority, when he began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand by the month. He was thus employed for about a year or two, after which he was married. It was on the 16th of November, 1859, that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret A. Lafferty, a daughter of James and Anna (Boyle) Lafferty. Mrs. Williams was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, December I, 1841. Her grandfather in the paternal line was John Lafferty, likewise a native of the Keystone state, where he spent his entire life. He married Martha McElmoyle, and they had four children. The maternal grandfather of Mrs.

Williams was Charles Boyle, a native of Scotland, who for many years made his home in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He married Margaret Pomeroy, both continuing residents of Pennsylvania until called to the home beyond. Their daughter, Anna, became the wife of James Lafferty, and they were parents of Mrs. Williams. Both were natives of Pennsylvania and, coming to Illinois in the middle of the nineteenth century, settled in Adams county in 1851. There the father died at the age of fifty-one years, while the mother reached the age of seventy-two years. In their family were nine children, of whom three are now living: Margaret Ann; Amanda M., the wife of Andrew B. Lafferty, of Alma, Nebraska; and James C. Lafferty, of Danbury, Nebraska.

The eldest of the surviving members of the family is Mrs. Williams who, as stated, gave her hand in marriage to our subject in 1859. They had been married but three years when he left his young wife in order to aid his country in her hour of peril. On the lath of August, 1862, he joined the army as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for a Uttle more than three years, holding the rank of sergeant. He was once slightly wounded and on many other occasions was a target for the enemy's bullets, for he was frequently in the thickest of the fight. He participated in the battle of Franklin and of Shreveport, was with Major A. J. Smith on a trip to the Yellow Bayou and took part in the battles of Memphis and Baton Rouge. When the war was over he returned to his home in Adams county and there engaged in farming.

It was after the war that Mr. and Mrs. Williams received from her father the gift of a farm of one hundred acres. In 1873 they became residents of Henry county, settling in Orion, where Mr, Williams conducted a farming implement business until 1886, In that year he was elected sheriff and removed to Cambridge. He had previously served as deputy sheriff for twelve years, and he filled the office of sheriff for four years. At the close of his term he became ill and was sick for a long time. He had made a competent officer, being faithful and zealous in the discharge of his duties, so that his record was one which gained for him high commendation.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born four children: Ida B., J. I. Delbert, Charles D., and Lulie V. The eldest, Ida B., married George M. Baugh, and they reside with Mrs. Williams. They had ten children, as follows: Patience K.; L. Max; Anna Pearl; Clelland R.; Charles M.; Juanita Fern; Forrest Claire; Benjamin Burdette; Marjorie; and Otallie; of whom Charles M. died in 1905, J. I. Delbert, the next in order of birth, wedded Gertrude Nowers, by whom he has one daughter, Helen Lucile. They now make their home in Cambridge. Charles D., who married Mrs. Louisa Ryan, resides in Chicago; while Lulie v., the youngest, passed away December 27, 1890, when seventeen years of age.

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

CHARLES M. WILLIAMS.

Charles M. Williams, a retired agriculturist residing in Galva, was born at Bentonville, Fayette county, Indiana, on the 6th of March, 1843, his parents being Lyman and Susan (Dickey) Williams, likewise natives of Fayette county, Indiana. The paternal grandfather, Charles Williams, whose birth occurred in New- York, was of Welsh descent. He participated in the war of 1812 and followed both farming and carpentering during his active business career. The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Dickey, a native of Kentucky and a farmer by occupation. In early manhood he wedded Miss Jane Houston, by whom he had eight children, four sons and four daughters. Both he and his wife Hved to attain a ripe old age.

Lyman Williams, the father of Charles M. Williams, followed the carpenter's trade in early manhood but after his marriage turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1856 he removed to Stark county, Illinois, taking up his above two miles northeast of LaFayette. The last few years of his life were spent in LaFayette, where he passed away in 1905, when eighty-six years of age.

He had survived his wife for almost three decades, her demise having occurred in 1876 when she was fifty-one years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Williams were devoted and consistent members of the Christian church. Their family numbered ten children, four sons and six daughters, seven of whom are still living, namely: Charles M., of this review; Lydia A., the wife of Michael N. Emery; John A.; Sarah E., the wife of Herbert Baker; William J.; Ella E.; and Annie B., the wife of Stephen White.

Charles M. Williams was a lad of about fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. He was reared on his father's farm and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, pursuing his education in the district schools and later in the public schools of Galva. In May, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry but was prevented from going to the front on account of sickness. In October, 1864, he joined Company G of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry and loyally fought for the interests of the Union until its supremacy had been established. After the close of hostilities he returned to Stark county and for a number of years was engaged in the operation of a rented farm. In 1871 he made his way to Kansas, purchasing two hundred and twenty acres of land in Miami county, that state, where he remained until February, 1876. He then returned to Illinois and took up his above on a farm two and a half miles east of Galva, the property belonging to his father. Subsequently he bought forty acres adjoining and in 1901 purchased one of his father's farms of eighty acres, residing thereon until January, 1908, He then disposed of the property and came to Galva, where he purchased a beautiful and commodious residence and after living there a short time, he again moved just north of the city limits. Through his carefully directed and untiring labors as an agriculturist he accumulated the competence that now enables him to live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

On the 15th of September, 1867, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Lucy L. Cundiff, whose birth occurred in Galena, Illinois, in 1846, her parents being Richard and Mary (Jackson) Cundiff, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. They were numbered among the early settlers of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Richard Cundiff, who was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, passed away in the year 1853. His wife lived to be eighty-eight years of age. They had a family of eleven children, six of whom still survive, namely: Thomas; Sarah; Mary, the wife of Miles Bennett, of Savanna, Illinois; Mrs. Williams; Marcia, the wife of C. L. Canning; and Richard Archibald. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born seven children, the record of whom is as follows. Frank W., who has been a bookkeeper in Peoria for about eighteen years, wedded Miss Clara Belle Walkley, who died in June, 1907, leaving a daughter, Pearl Blanche Williams. Frank W. Williams is first lieutenant of Company G, Illinois National Guards, of which he has been a member for eleven years. Clarence B., likewise a resident of Peoria, married Miss Nellie Watson. Elmer L. passed away when three years of age. Susie B. is at home. Perry E., living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, married Miss Lorena Wilson, by whom he has a daughter, Ruth Lorena. George Herbert died at the age of nine months. Daisy M. passed away when eight years of age.

Mr. Williams gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and has served as school director for many years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to Galva Post, G. A. R., and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. They are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.

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