The Williams Families of Wapello County, Iowa

R. A. O. WILLIAMS, whose portrait appears on the foregoing page, is one of the leading physicians and sur-'

geons of Ottumwa, Wapello county,

Iowa. He was born in Nauvoo-, Illinois, in

1850, and is a son of A. O. and Minerva

A. O. Williams, Sr., was born in Portage county, Ohioi, in 1826, and was there reared and educated. The family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1849, he followed the trade of a druggist during his active career. For the last twenty years of his life he lived in retirement at Belvidere, Illinois, where he died in 1896. His widow, who was born in 1835, is now residing at Marion, Iowa. They were parents of two children: A. O.; and George T., who resides at Ida Grove, Iowa.

Dr. A. O. Williams attended the State University of Iowa, and was graduated with the class of 1873, with the degree of A. B.; during a part of his course he taught German to some extent. He then attended lectures in the medical department of the same institution, and, after graduating, in 1875, entered upon the practice of medicine, at Eldon, Iowa. He continued there for one year, and then moved to Ottumwa, where he has since been located. His success was assured from the start, and he now has a large and profitable practice. HeTias been surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company since 1885, for the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company since 1875, and is surgeon for the Ottumwa Electric Street Railway Company. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the National Association of Railway Surgeons, and the American Academy of Medicine.

In 1880, Dr. Williams was united in marriage with Nettie C. Warden, of Ottumwa, and they have three children: Bessie, Jeanette and Virginia. Fraternally, the Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Modern Woodmen of America.

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

HENRY C. WILLIAMS.

Henry C. Williams, the owner of a large blacksmith shop in Ottumwa, has here been identified with the blacksmithing and machinist trades for about a half century and has won gratifying success in that connection. His birth occurred in Wapello county, Iowa, on the 22d of September, 1849, his parents being J. S. and Frances H. (Whitcomb) Williams, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to this country in 1843 and nine years later journeyed overland to Oregon by team, settling in Oregon City, where the father passed away in 1855. Subsequently the widowed mother returned to Iowa with her family, locating in Ottumwa, where she made her home for more than a half century or until called 'to her final rest in 191 1. Four of her five children survive.

Henry C. Williams has continuously resided in Ottumwa since seven years of age. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when sixteen years of age began learning the blacksmithing trade, with which he has been identified continuously and successfully since, being now the owner of a large shop. An extensive patronage has always been accorded him, for he is widely recognized as a skilled and reliable workman.

Mr. Williams has been married twice. In 1873 he wedded Miss Samantha Bizer, a native of Wapello county and a daughter of O. P. and Margaret (Booth) Bizer, who came to this county in an early day. The father is deceased, but the mother survives and makes her home here. Unto Henry C. and Samantha (Bizer) Williams were born three children, namely: Margaret, Hester and Horace. The wife and mother passed away in 1882 and four years later Mr. Williams was again married, his second union being with Emma E. (Croll) Kirk, native of Marion county, Iowa, by whom he has eight children, as follows: Francis H., Emma K.. Mary W., Charles B., Ruth E., Martha, Virginia and Edward O.

In his political views Mr. Williams is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have chosen him for positions of public trust. He ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of chief of police for a period of seven years and also acted as deputy sheriff, while for four years he served as a member of the city board of aldermen. For the past three years he has been one of the trustees of the city water works. He is identified fraternally with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and his wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Williams is a man well liked and highly esteemed, and his efforts contribute substantially to the upbuilding and promotion of the interests of his community.

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

A. N. WILLIAMS.

A. N. Williams is a retired farmer and real-estate dealer, now living in Ottumwa. He was born in Marion county, Indiana, April 14, 1842, and is a son of Jonas and Sarah (Woodcock) Williams, who were married at Rushville, Indiana. The father was a native of that state and the mother of New York. They began their domestic life in Marion county, Indiana, where the family resided until the spring of 1858, when removal was made to Louisa county, Iowa. The father had died in Marion county on the 20th of July, 1853, at the age of forty-six years, while the mother, who was born May 28, 1815, passed away in Agency, Iowa, on the lath of April, 1900, when in the eighty-fifth year of her age. They were the parents of seven children. Alvah, who died Julv 20, 1865, had served for three years as a member of Company D, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry. Caroline, now deceased, was the wife of William Rerald. A. N. is the next of the family. Cyrus died July 20, 1853. Ezra is living in Garnett, Kansas. Catherine Jane and Electa have both passed away.

A. N. Williams was a lad of eleven years at the time of his father's death. He remained with his mother in Indiana until 1858 and afterward resided with her on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa, up to the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war. He watched with interest the progress of events that seemed to indicate that the country would become involved in hostilities and on the 13th of June, 1861, just two months after the first gun was fired, he enrolled as a member of Company K, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained until honorably discharged on account of physical disability on the 13th of March, 1862. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered he reenlisted August 11, 1862, joining Company G, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war on the 141)1 of April, 1865. He participated in all of the engagements with his company and was frequently in the thickest of the fight. He never faltered in the performance of any duty assigned him and returned home with a most creditable military record.

When the war was over Mr. Williams resumed farming in Louisa county and there carried on general agricultural pursuits until November 3, 1869, when he made an overland trip to Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, driving over that part of the country in company with others. He continued upon the plains of the west and southwest for fifteen years and in the spring of 1884 returned to Iowa, establishing his home in Moravia. He afterward engaged in farming in Appanoose county until he came to Wapello county in 1890. For about eight years he resided in South Ottumwa.

Mr. Williams was married here on his fiftieth birthday and afterward engaged in farming on a place four miles southwest of the city, on Village creek. At length he sold that property and returned to South Ottumwa. For three years he leased a farm on Bear creek and afterward bought a farm near Agency, on which he lived for eight years, during which period he brought the fields to a high state of cultivation and derived therefrom splendid harvests. At length he sold out and returned to Ottumwa, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate business, handling city and farm properties and rentals. He has been accorded a good clientage, and his business is now extensive and gratifying..

On the 13th of March, 1872, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Noe, who was born in Tennessee and died in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1874. He was not again married until the lath of April, 1892, when he wedded Miss Birdie Walker, a native of Iowa. They have one daughter, Leah, at home.,

Mr Williams exercises his right of franchise in support ot the men and measures of the republican part and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. but does not seek nor desire public office. He holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant associations with those who wore the blue uniform as he did during the darkest hour in our country's history. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and its teachings have been the motive force in his life. His experiences have been varied, but he has never lost sight of the high principles which have governed him, and that his has been a well spent life is indicated in the expressions of warm regard heard from his many friends when his name is mentioned.

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

J. F. WILLIAMS.

Dr. J. F. Williams, who enjoys a large veterinary practice in Highland township, well merits the confidence placed in him, for his reputation is built upon a thorough professional education and a large practical experience. He has today a profitable clientele and is considered one of the most successful men in his line of work in Wapello county. He was born in Carroll county, Missouri, March 14, 1876, and is a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Decker) Williams, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Indiana. Both were brought to Iowa when children. Conrad Williams died in June, 1906, his widow now making her home in New Mexico. In their family were nine children, of whom seven are living.

J. F. Williams remained at home until he reached his maturity. Having completed his schooling, he learned the blacksmith's trade, continuing in that line for a few years, but, not finding the desired satisfaction in this work, his thoughts turned to more profitable fields of employment. Deciding upon veterinary work, he attended the Kansas City Veterinary College, from which he graduated in 191 1. Since that year he has been practicing in Highland Center with unabating success.

On the 2ist of April, 1912, Dr. Williams married Miss Grace Miller, a native of Wapello county and a daughter of J. C. and Delpha (Lowenberg) Miller, both living and of whom extended mention is made in another part of this work. Dr. and Mrs. Williams have two children: Warren K. and Doris Marie. The parents are members of the Christian church and devoted to its work. Before her marriage Mrs. \\williams taught school for nine years, having received an excellent education, which was concluded with graduation from the Ottumwa high school. Dr. Williams owns a handsome residence in Highland Center, which is the family home. He is not only efficient professionally, but is a useful citizen who is ever ready to contribute to the general welfare. Politically he has not been particularly active, preferring to concentrate all his energies upon his work. He is a member of the Farmers' Grange.

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