The Williams Families of Stark County, Ohio

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, farmer and stock dealer; P. O. Pierce; was born October 17, 1842, in Pike Tp.; son of John and Sarah Jane (Ale.under) Williams and a grandson of Bartholomew and Elizabeth (Farber) Williams; a more extended reference of these old settlers will be found in the sketch of Alfred Williams. The subject of this biographical sketch is one of the most active and successful business men of Pike Tp.; he was raised and educated in Pike, and remained with his father until the great Rebellion was inaugurated; in November, 1861, when he enlisted in the 76th Ohio and served until early in 1863, when he was discharged, Init afterwards as a member of the O. N. G. he re-entered the service and received a commission as First Lieutenant of Company F, 102d Regiment, but owing to the continued al)since of the captain Mr. Williams had charge of the company during the greater portion of his term of service. In 18G5 he removed to his present farm, which he purchased from his father and the heirs of his father's estate, and now owns 180 acres of land. He was married January 26, 1865, to Susan Jane, a daughter of Samuel and Agnes (Evans) Cable; tJiey have four children — Loretta, Loemma, John S. and Blanch. At the present time he is engaged in farming and also buying, fattening and selling stock for the Eastern market; he has been engaged in the stock business in connection with Jeremiah Steiner for some years and with considerable success. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the M. E. Church, of Sparta, of which congregation he has been Trustee and Class Leader; he is a Steward at the present time, and has also served as Superintendent of the Sabbath School.

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

ALFRED WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Pierce; is a grandson of Bartholoiniiw Williams, one of the early settlers of Stark Co. This pioneer married Miss Elizabeth Farber, a native of New Jersey; they emigrated to Jefferson Co. in 1804, about the same time the Faibers did; Mrs. Williams being the daughter of Philip Farber. After a few years, Williams removed to Pike Tp., purchasing from the government the quarter section now owned and occupied by Simon Rice; he afterwards entered in his son's name the land now owned by Alfred Williams. John Williams, son of Bartholomew, was born Oct. 22, 1800, in Jefferson Co., and when quite small, his parents removed to Pike Tp. By two wives, he was the father of ten children; he was married Aug. 13, 1837, to Miss Sarah Jane Alexander, who was born May 10, 1818, and was the mother of four children — Nancy, now Mrs. John Newhouse; Elizabeth, naw Mrs. J. J. Burnheimer; and William B.,all three of Pike Tp.; the fourth child died when quite small; their mother died May 21, 1844, and Mr. Williims was married a second time, to Mrs. BtMijamin Brothers, formerly Miss Mary McKinney, born Dec. 20, 1813, and by Mr. Williams, she was the mother of six children — Alfred, subject of this sketch; Susan B. died aged 15; Sarah Jane, now Mrs. Joseph Briggle; John Emory, died in childhood; Mary Etta, now Mrs. A. W. Dyrc, of Muskingum Co.; Martha died in childhood. Joim Williams was a member of the M. E. Church, of Sparta. He died of small-pox, June 7, 1871. A short time previous to his death, he was shot by a man named Tceples, without any just provocation; the wound, which ordinarily wouKl not have been fatal, was the indirect cause of his death, as he was taken with smallpox before the bullet wound could heal, and the murderous assault thus had a fatal termination. His son Alfred was born Feb. 26, 1846, and was raised and educated in Pike Tp., where he has always resided. At the present time he owns 183 acres of land, and is engaged farming and raising stock, principally sheep. He was married May 12, 1870, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Nathan and Christina (Welker) Thomas, and they have two children — Ada May, and Walter Clyde.

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

WILLIAM SMITH WILLIAMS, President and Secretary of the Shale Brick Exchange, of Canton, Ohio, was born near this city, April 23, 1835, and is a son of (george and Mary (Smith) Williams. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and became a resident of Stark Countv in ISIO. But few industries were open to the early settlers at that date, and his vocation was principally farming and the manufacture of brick. Industrious, honest and enterprising, he was soon looked upon as a valuable acquisition to the band of pioneers.

Our subject spent the first twenty years of his life on a farm, acquiring his education in the public.schools of Canton. When a young man, he served as a Lieutenant in a militia company, called the Canton Light Guards, and was afterward made Captain of the Canton Battery. Possessing a superior mathematical mind, his inclinations only turned to the department of civil engineering and its kindred branches, and while in the High School he paid especial attention to his favorite science. With this preliminary preparation, he fitted himself for his profession by his own efforts, by private study and by practice in the field. His first engagement was as Assistant Civil Engineer of the southwest branch of the Pacific Railroad, running from St. Louis into the Indian Territory. In 1858, he was admitted to the Bar in Ohio, and in Missouri in 18.59, having previously read law under the late Judge G. W. Belden, of Canton.

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Williams entered the service of the Government as Lieutenant in an independent battery of artillery, and was engaged in the battles of Scarey Creek and Hawk's Nest in Western Virginia. In November, 1861, he was commissioned by Gov. Dennison to raise another battery, which was known as the Third Ohio Independent Battery, with which Mr. AVilliams served as Captain, making for himself a highly creditable military record. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Raymond, Champion Hills, siege of Wicksburg, Clinton, Kcnesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Legget's Bald Knob, Ezra Church, Jone.boro and Lovejoy Station. For a part of the time he was Chief of Artillery of Gen. Logan's Staff, Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, and subsequently occupied the.same position on the staff of Gen. M. D. Legget. After the fall of Atlanta, the artillery of the Seventeenth Corps was formed into a brigade, and Capt. Williams was assigned to the command of it as Chief of Artillery. This brigade com[)raised all the artillery of the Seventeenth Army Corps, and served as such until mustered out in December, 1864. During his whole military career, he distinguished himself as a brave soldier and an excellent and intrepid officer. His superior qualifications for the position, together with his gentlemanly bearing and courteous manner, rendered him one of the most popular officers in the corps. He is a member of the society of the Army of the Tennessee, and has been honored with the office of Vice-president. He is also a member of the INIilitary Order of Loyal Legion.

In politics, the Captain is a stanch Republican. Shortly after his return from the army, he was appointed County Survey-orof Stark County, serving one term, and subsequently was City Engineer of Canton for several years. In 1872, he was appointed Resident Civil Engineer of Public Works of the State of Ohio. In the years 1872 and 1873, he was Inspector of Railroads for the State of Ohio, under Commissioner Walcot, and again in 1876 and 1877, under L. G. Delano.

In 1884, Captain Williams began experimenting in the manufacturing of paving brick from sale, the first manufactured west of the Ohio River. The works are located west of the Valley Railroad. He has energetically prosecuted the work, and his discoveries in the manufacture of paving brick from sale have developed one of Canton's most important industries. The sale brick is of a superior quality, and when vitrified is capable of resisting a greater pressure than granite. In connection with this, Capt. AVilliams also manufactures a very superior quality of fire brick. The excellence of these two kinds of brick is so well established and the orders come in so fa.st that it is with diflScultjthe demand is met. The capacity of the works is over three million bricks annually. Our subject is now President and Secretary of the Shale Brick Exchange, of Canton, and is one of the most prominent and influential business men of the city.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Avenue, is a fine brick residence, surrounded with extensive grounds. The fine lawn is adorned with njan3' native trees, and also with some beautiful pines. Capt. Williams is a gentleman of fine scholarl_y attainments and occupies a prominent rank among the leading civil engineers of the State. He is thoroughly devoted to his department of industry, and his military and professional record alike entitle him to high regard as a patriot and a citizen.

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