The Williams Families of Jasper County, Missouri

S. B. WILLIAMS.

S. B. Williams, who is holding the important and responsible position of national pension agent for Jasper county, was born in Montgomery county, Illinois, April 1, 1834. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Williams, was a native of Kentucky, and \\as there reared and married. He afterward became one of the early pioneers of Montgomery county, Illinois. His life occupation was that of a farmer. The family is of Welsh descent. David 'williams, the father of our subject, was also a native of Kentucky, Ijut when eight years of age removed with his parents to Illinois, a location being made in Montgomery county, where David M. followed agricultural pursuits. He subsequently took up his above in Kansas, where he passed away in 1861. He was prominent in the ranks of the Republican party, and for many years served his county as a justice of the peace. He voted for Fremont in 1856. In his religious affiliations he was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The mother of our subject, nee Mary Bartlett, was born and reared in Kentucky, and lived to the age of seventy-two years. Her father, Samuel Bartlett, was a native of the Old Dominion and of English descent. He subsequently left the state of his birth and took up his residence in Kentucky. Unto David M. and Mary (Bartlett) Williams were born five children who grew to years of maturity.

S. B. Williams, the eldest child in the above family, was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, and his education was there received in the district and select schools. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, and after reaching his twenty-first year he followed school teaching until the breaking out of the Civil war. when, his patriotic spirit being aroused, he enlisted for service in Company D, Thirty-second Iowa

Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He entered the army in 1862, and for three years served his country as a gallant and intrepid soldier. He was with A. J. Smith's Sixteenth Army Corps, and participated in the battles of Little Rock, Helena and Brownsville, Arkansas, where he was shot through the left breast, and for thirteen months was confined at Little Rock and Murfreesboro. He was then sent north to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where he was engaged in guard duty, and was honorably discharged at Cairo, Illinois, to which place he had been sent to do guard duty..After the close of hostilities and when the country no longer needed his services Mr. Williams returned to his home in Montgomery county, where he again took up the quiet duties of the farm, also teaching school during the winter months. He followed the dual occupation until about 1873. when he went to Salina, Kansas, there following agricultural pursuits for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Jasper county. Missouri, locating on a farm in Duval township, where he followed farming through the summer months and taught school during the winters at Cedar Bluffs, Sunnyside and Alba. In 1885 he located on a farm in Mineral township, remaining there until 1890, when he took up his residence in Alba. Here he has since remained, and his genial nature and true worth have gained and retained for him the love and esteem of many friends.

In 1856 occurred the marriage of Mr. W'williams and Miss Mary Jones, a native of Harrison county, Indiana, but reared in Montgomery county, Illinois. She is a daughter of Hardy and Matilda ( Xicholson) Jones, who became early settlers of Montgomery county, Illinois, and were of Irish and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have become the parents of six children, namely: Mary M., the wife of George McClellan, a painter of Hillsboro, Illinois; Martha E., the wife of George MorrLs, a machinist of Bellville, this state; Joseph C. deceased; Dora the wife of '. E. Robbins, whose sketch a])years in this volume; Ida M., the wife of Samuel Gather, who is engaged in business with Mr. Robbins; and Orlando, a resident of Jasjier county. In his political affiliations Mr. Williams is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and in 1856 he cast his first presidential vote for Fremont, having ever since continued an active worker in the party's ranks. While a resident of Montgomery county, Illinois, he held the office of justice of the peace for eight years, and in Jasper county he has filled that responsible position for fourteen years. He has also served as township clerk and has held many other positions of honor and trust. At one time he was a candidate for assessor, but as the county had a Democratic majority of about si.x hundred votes he was defeated, aUhough he ran ahead of his ticket, coming within one hundred and seven votes of winning the election. He is now serving as national pension agent.

In his social relations Mr. Williams is a member of the Grand Arni\ of the Republic, holding membership in Post No. 559, in which he has served as senior vice-commander. He was made a Mason in the '60s, in Donaldson, Lodge No. 255, of Illinois. Religiously he is a member of the Friends church.

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

SAMUEL WILLIAMS, farmer, stock-raiser, and capitalist, was born in Fayette county, Ind., Jan. 23, 1834, but for the most part raised in Madison county, Ind., where he was also educated. His father (Joel D.) is still a hale old gentleman, seventy-three years old, living on a farm in Indiana. His mother was Fannie Walker, who died Oct. 7, 1879, a native of Ohio. There were five children in the family. The subject of this sketch came to Jasper county, Mo., in 1879, and now resides upon his farm seven miles northwest of Carthage, having traded one acre of land in Indiana for two in Jasper county. Mr. Williams has been twice married; first in April, 1854, to Eliza A. White, who was born in Hamilton county, Ind., April 4, 1831. Her children are Wilson T., Sarah C., Joel D., and four deceased. She died Jan. 26, 1871, in Indiana. Mr. Williams was again married July 13, 1871, to Elizabeth Rhoads, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1837, and raised in Indiana. Mr. Williams's estate comprises over 800 acres, about 400 acres of it being under cultivation. He raised 4,500 bushels of wheat and 4,000 of corn, and quantities of oats, millet, and timothy, besides rented some farms to tenants, and there are nine acres of good bearing or-

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

WILLIAM M. WILLIAMS.

William M. Williams, who was one of the organizers and is now the secretary of the Webb City College, is one of the substantial, and representative men of his locality. His career illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, he has risen from comparative obscurity to a position of prominence, and the town of Webb City owes much to him on account of his connection with her business interests.

Mr. Williams is a native of McDonald county, Missouri, his birth having occurred on the 27th of March, 1859. His father, Moses Williams, was born in the state of Alabama, and when a young man, in 1832, removed with his father, Allen Williams, to McDonald county, Missouri, a location being made on Patterson creek, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1860 Moses Williams made the trip to California, and while in that state he was called to his final rest, passing away when our subject was only two years of age. He was of Welsh descent. His widow, who was in her maidenhood Sarah Ann Evans, survived him a number of years, dying when her son William was thirteen years of age. When he was two years of age his mother became blind, and was thus afflicted until her death. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were the parents of six children, but two died in infancy, and those who reached mature years are: Thomas B., the eldest of the family; Anna, deceased; John B., who resides at Lamar, Missouri; and William M., the subject of this review. In 1866 Mrs. Williams, with her four children, removed to Saline county, Missouri.

William M. Williams began the battle of life for himself when only thirteen years of age, and for three years thereafter was employed as a farm hand, during which time he enjoyed but few educational privileges. At the age of sixteen years he entered a select school, known as the Professor Newton Academv, at Marshall. Saline county, which he attended for a part of two years. After leaving that institution he removed to Malta Bend, where he served a short apprenticeship as a carriage manufacturer, also working as a farm hand, and was thus engaged for about one year. Next he was engaged in buying timber for H. Herman, who had a branch office at Boonville, Missouri, and was thus employed for about two years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Kansas City and began work at his trade. On the lath of September, 1882, in company with J. B. Williams and A. Christopher, he went to Lamar, Barton county, Missouri, and engaged in the manufacture of buggies, but on the ist of July, 1890, Mr. Williams sold his interest to his partners and came to Webb City, where he was engaged in mining for the following three years. In 1893 ne originated the plan for establishing the Webb City College. The erection of the building was begun in that year and was completed in 1896. It was first known as Nelson Collegiate Institute, but the name has since been changed to the Webb City College. The institution was a success from the beginning and the average attendance now numbers about one hundred and fifty pupils. Mr. Williams still remains its popular and efficient secretary, and Webb City College owes much of its success to his untiring and well directed efforts. On the ist of February, 1900, he took up his residence where he now resides, on section 25, Mineral township.

Mr. Williams was married on the 27th of March, 1884, Miss Alice Newell becoming his wife. She is a native of Athens county, Ohio, and in an early day removed from that state to Lamar. Missouri. She is a graduate of the vocal department of the Webb City College and is a lady of culture and refinement. She was a member of the College Ladies' Quartette, of Webb City, for five years. The marriage has been blessed with one son, Royal L., who is attending the Webb City College, and one daughter, Amy S., who died in infancy.

The Democratic party receives Mr. Williams' hearty support and socially he is a member of the A. O. U. W., No. 270, of Webb City, while of the Baptist church of this city he is a worthy and consistent member. Personally our subject is genial and social, enjoying good fellowship and is a most companionable friend. His life furnishes an example of energy, perseverance and loyalty to principle well worthy of emulation.

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

SAMUEL G. WILLIAMS, judge of the police court, was born June 26, 1828, in Bedford county, Virginia. His father, Edward D., was a native of Virginia, as well as his mother, whose maiden name was Martha E. Jones. Colonel Williams was educated at Hollins Institute by his own efforts, after which he studied law with W. R. Stoples, present judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Commenced practice at Floyd Court House, Virginia, in 1854. In June, 1858, he came to Missouri, where the town of Rolla now stands, being among the first settlers of this town, and helped in its organization. Here he remained until 1877, when he came to Carthage. He was elected a member of the Missouri legislature in 1860, and also a member of the celebrated Jackson legislature. At the breaking out of the war he was tendered a commission as colonel in the Missouri State Guards, under General Price, but before going into service was captured by Colonel Gratz Brown, and subsequently paroled. He removed later to Eolla, and began the practice of law in the military courts during the war. In 1870 he was appointed curator of the State University, and it was while holding this position that he became one of the chief founders of the school of mines at Rolla, remaining on the board for six years. Col. Williams is one of the leading lawyers of southwest Missouri, and was one of the prominent members of every Democratic convention for many years, besides taking an active part in politics and public affairs generally. He was a supporter of Frank Pierce in 1852, and has never scratched the Democratic ticket. In 1878 he canvassed the county in behalf of the Democratic platform, which was successful. He was appointed attorney for the collection of revenue, serving during the administration. He was married in December, 1855, to Mary L. Crenshaw, of Lynchburg, Virginia. His father and mother celebrated their golden wedding at Rolla, Missouri, in 1877, and he and his wife their silver wedding in 1880. Ool. Williams is among the most eminent men of southwest Missouri. He is the judge of the police court.

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

FRANK E. WILLIAMS, druggist, was born in Livingston county, Mich., Dec. 6, 1849. His father, Floyd Williams, was a native of the Empire State, born March 9, 1820, and is now living at Independence, Kan. His mother, Maria (Kerstead) Williams, of New Jersey, was born July 10, 1823, and died at Ann Arbor, Mich., Feb. 19, 1864. The family consisted of three children: C. L.,born July 5, 1842, and died March 20, 1843; Milton D., born Nov. 11, 1843; John K., born Nov. 1, 1845; Henry C. born Dec. 15, 1847, and died Aug. 13, 1879, at Alton, Ill.; and our subject. In 1857 his parents moved to Ann Arbor because of the excellent school advantages offered. Subject attended the high school of that city, graduating in June, 1866. He came west in the fall of 1866, locating at Lawrence, Kan., where he engaged in the mercantile business three and a half years. He then came to Graiiby, Newton county, Mo., and engaged in general merchandising for about three and a half years. In April, 1870, he was appointed postmaster, in which capacity he served two years. He came to Joplin in August, 1873, and engaged in the drug business with his brother, Henry C. Williams, the latter being a graduate of the school of pharmacy in connection with the Michigan State University, which afforded our subject excellent schooling in that line, and then engaged in his present business. Mr. Williams was elected to the city council in 1874, served two terms, and was elected mayor in the fall of 1876 and re-elected the year following. He was appointed city collector in the fall of 1878 and has since held that position. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, also of the Masonic fraternity. Although a young man, he possesses excellent business qualifications, and is certainly worthy the liberal patronage accorded him.

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

JAMES J. WILLIAMS, farmer and gardener, was born in Sussex, Eng., Jan. 11, 1830. His father (William) was a gardener by occupation. James J. came to America in 1854, settling for a time in Canada, and then in 1856 came west to Jackson county, Iowa, where he resided thirteen years. The subject of this sketch was married July 23, 1868, to Sarah E. Berry, who was born in Ohio, Sept. 28, 1841. Their children are Frank N., Kate E., Anna E., Lottie, and four deceased. Mr. Williams has a farm of fifty-four acres, raising 1,000 bushels of corn, besides large quantities of garden vegetables. Mr. Williams became a citizen of Jasper county in 1867, and engaged for a number of years in the dairy and milk business. He has a fine orchard of three acres, and raises considerable small fruit. He is by profession a gardener, though devoting his time to general farming. His farm is located in section 5, township 28, range 31, of Marion township, one mile from the west line of the corporation.

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

J. P. WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, section 6, post-office Avilla, is a native of Tennessee, born in Murray county, June 21, 1829. In 1831 his parents moved to southwest Missouri, locating two and a half miles southwest of Mount Vernon. His father, Samuel S. Williams, erected the first cabin and made the first improvements west of Springfield, Mo. He was a man of remarkable force and energy, in fact, a Daniel Boone sort of man, and was known as a mighty hunter during the early settlement of southwest Missouri. He died March 5, 1875, and was buried on the old homestead, where his widow still lives. He was the father of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, ten of his offspring now living. Our subject spent his youth in assisting on the farm and acquiring an education at the pioneer schools, almost his only diversion being a deer or turkey hunt, which game at that time was very abundant. He was married Nov. 22, 1850, to Miss Mary Cherry, a native of Tennessee, daughter of James and Rachel Cherry, well-known old settlers of Lawrence county. Mo. Her father died June 10, 1874, and her mother still lives on the old homestead. Our subject, though reared up to strict pro-slavery ideas, his father being a slave-owner, was always a Union man, and was enrolled early in 1861, in Company B, Seventy-sixth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, and went into active service in 1862, participating in all the experiences of that command. At the cessation of hostilities he returned to his avocation on the farm. Became a resident of Jasper county in the spring of 1866. His farm consists of 200 acres, 140 being in cultivation, the soil of remarkable fertility and productiveness, romantically situated on White Oak Creek, and natural groves of fine timber on three sides of the buildings afford shade and protection. They have reared and educated two sons and two daughters: James T., born Sept. 10, 1851, now a resident of McDonald county; Rachel E., born April 2, 1853, now wife of James Warthen; William H., born May 27, 1857; and Sarah J., born Dec. 17, 1863.

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

W. H. WILLIAMS. His farm comprises 250 acres of finely improved land. He was born and raised near Millersburgh, Holmes county, Ohio; born Aug. 2, 1841; son of James and Mary Williams, both natives of same county. Our subject began life as a school teacher and in the fall of 1865 went to Gentry county. Mo., near Gentryville, and taught a term of school, then engaged in the cattle trade. In Nov., 1866, he care to Medoc, and taught the first school in the brick school-house, afterward purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits. He was married July 3, 1869, to Miss Martha J. Bell; she was born Nov. 28, 1852, and raised in Macoupin county,

Illinois; daughter of George L. and Mary W. Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have a family of four children: Alice, Lena, Dora, and Harrison.

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