John T. S. Williams

As printed in 1914

JOHN T. S. WILLIAMS.

John T. S. Williams, -one of the leading and respected citizens of Boone county, where he has resided continuously for the past forty-five years, has since 1907 lived retired in Ogden. He has reached the ripe old age of seventy-nine years, his birth having occurred in Canada on the 31st of August, 1835. His parents were the Rev. Ebenezer and Margaret (Sheriff) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Scotland.

In 1869, when a young man of thirty-four years, John T. S. Williams came to Boone county, Iowa, from Wisconsin, purchasing land in Beaver township which he improved and cultivated until 1879. He was then elected county treasurer and filled the office with credit for two years, on the expiration of which period he embarked in the general mercantile business at Ogden, conducting an enterprise of that character for six years. Subsequently he again devoted his attention to farming for a year but at the end of that time returned to Ogden, where he was successfully engaged in the implement business until 1893. In that year he was appointed postmaster under President Cleveland and for four years ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connection. Afterward he embarked in the real-estate business and was thus successfully engaged until 1907, since which time he has lived retired. He owns a handsome residence in Ogden and also has considerable farm property.

On the 20th of October, 1858, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Jane Thomas, a daughter of William and Mary (Bowden) Thomas, who were natives of England. Unto our subject and his wife were born seven children, as follows: G. K., who operates his father's farm in Boone county; Charles H., ' also an agriculturist of this county; Charlotte J., the wife of J. A. Nylander, who is living retired; Lilly S., who passed away on the 20th of October, 1909; Laura M., the wife of C. L. Thomas; Edgar R., who is the editor of the Ogden

Reporter; and Amy F., the wife of J. C. Davis, who is dean of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mr. Williams is a democrat in his political views and for a number of years abl_\ served as clerk of Beaver township, which he organized. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and has benefited by his labors on the school board, of which he long served as secretary. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is an honored pioneer of his community and has not only witnessed its growth but has earnestly aided in the work of development and upbuilding. The circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, for his life has ever been such as to win for him the esteem and regard of all with whom he has come in contact.

As printed in History of Boone County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.