Charles Williams

As printed in 1910

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 History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.