In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1849, Livingston county
From The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominen (1883)
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 history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominent (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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