D. Williams

As printed in 1889

D. WILLIAMS, a pioneer settler of Museai tine County, of 1842, residing on section 12, Cedar Township, is a native of Union County, Ind.,born Feb. 16, 1821, and is a son of Anthony and Eleanore (Fourdice) Williams. His parents had a family of twelve children: William and Jane, who are both deceased; Hepzibah, widow of Lot Duvall; Samuel, Joshua, James and Aaron, deceased; J. D., of this sketch; John, a resident of Logansport, Ind.; B. F. is also living in Indiana; David, deceased; and Eliza, wife of William Cunningham, of Miami County, Ind. The death of Mr. Williams occurred at his home in Indiana, in 1846, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife departed this life in 1855, at the age of sixty-six years.

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and remained at home assisting his father in the labors of the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. Leaving his native State, he then made a trip through Illinois and Iowa, in 1842 and 1843, and in the latter State purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar Township, Muscatine County. Returning to his home he then took charge of a pottery, which had been left to his sister by her husband, Mr. Duvall, who had died, and remained in charge for eight years, after which he entered the mercantile business, continuing in that line for five years, when he sold out, and in 1850 again emigrated to Iowa. Purchasing forty acres of land adjoining the tract to which he had become an owner when making his trip in 1842, he embarked in agricultural pursuits, and has carried on general farming continuously since. Many improvements he has made upon the farm, and his land is now under a high state of cultivation. In 1864 he made a trip to Montana, where he remained until the following year, returning to his home Dec. 14, 1865, when he again resumed farming. In 1888 he suffered loss by fire, his residence burning to the ground on the 17th of May.

Mr. Williams was united in marriage in Indiana, Oct. 28, 1852, with Miss Lucy Ann Burges, a daughter of Joseph and Adda Eliza (Johnson) Burges, who were the parents of two children: Lucy Ann, born in 1835, and Caroline A., born in 1837. The latter became the wife of John Wilson. Their maternal grandfather was a Captain in the War of 1812. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Williams eleven children have been born: Mary E., born Aug. 13, 1853, wedded David E. Kerr, who died May 24, 1877, after which she became the wife of Isaac Shellabarger, a resident of Letts, Louisa County, and is the mother of four children, three of whom are living, and one of that number being by her second husband; Florence E., born Oct. 3, 1855, died Nov. 29, 1870; John F., born Oct. 28, 1857, is now living in Muscatine County; Samuel E., born Feb. 19, 1860, is a resident of White Sulphur Springs, Mont.; Kate M., wife of George Hawkins, was born June 9, 1862, and is living in Muscatine County, and is the mother of one child, Isaac Franklin, born March 3, 1887; Ida May, born May 19, 1864, and Jessie F., born Sept. 16, 1866, were playing in a granary when it caught fire and they were burned to death, this sad event occurring July 13, 1874; Edith A., born June 17, 1868, is a teacher in Muscatine County; Della J., born April 17, 1871, is engaged in dressmaking in Muscatine; Ina E., born Dec. 27, 1875, and Monroe E., Sept. 2, 1882, are both at home. Socially, Mr. Williams is a member of two fraternities, the Masonic and the Odd Fellows, while politically, he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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

After the death of his father our subject had the main charge of the farm. He received his education in the district schools, and had to work hard from youth. He was married, in Louisa County, Nov. 8, 1855, to Sarah Beir, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Hem\y and Elizabeth (McCormick) Beir, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, moved to Louisa County, Iowa, at an early day, took up land from the Government, which he improved, and to which he added other lands, and now owns a fine farm in Wapello Township. Her mother died in Feb

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Webster settled in Wapello Township, where they resided until 1867, when they moved to Muscatine County, Mr. Webster purchasing eighty acres of partly improved land, to which he subsequently added ten acres. He afterward sold that land to his son, and in 1877 purchased eighty acres of improved land where he now resides. His business is that of gardening, the raising of melons and sweet potatoes being his specialty, though he raises considerable fruit.

In politics Mr. Webster is a Republican, though not a partisan. He is a member of the Island Methodist Episcopal Church, of which body his wife is also a member. To the building of that church he contributed liberally, and has been Trustee and Steward many years, holding the latter position at the present time.

To Mr. and Mrs. Webster have been born seven children, three of whom are living — David D., William and Leonard. Arabel and Annabel, twins, died at the ages of three and five years respectively; Henry B. died at the age of fourteen years; David D., who is married, resides in the village of Fruitland, where he is engaged in business, and is the present Postmaster; William, who is also married, resides on the island; Leonard is at home.

Of the members of his father’s family, Eliza Jane, now Mrs. Frizzell, resides near Wapello; Diana, now Mrs. Iligbee, resides in Morning Sun; William, who is married, resides in Elm Grove Township, Louisa County; Eli, who is married, re sides in Morning Sun Township, Louisa County; J. L. died in August, 1887, leaving a widow, who resides in Kansas; Permelia, now Mrs. Augustine, resides in Nebraska.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Muscatine County, Iowa (1889). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.