John W. Williams

As printed in 1882

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John W., the subject of this sketch Penn., and received his early education course of study at the Erie Academy.

entered the office of John B. Johnson as a student of law. Finishing his course of study in two and a half years, he left home to locate in the West; but at this juncture came the outbreak of the great rebellion, changing somewhat the plans he had formed. During the first year of the war (1861), he was connected with Capt. R..M. Brown, of the Fifteenth United Slates Infantry, at the recruiting and mustering rendezvous at Erie, Penn., his early home. In March, 1863, at the solicitation of Col. William Truesdail, Chief of Army Police, under Gen. Rosecrans, he connected himself with the Army Police, Department of the ('umherlnnd. Gen. W. S. Rosecrans commanding, holding the position of Provost Judge of the Provost Marshal General's Department. This branch of the service (the Army Police) had control and supervision of all things connected with the Secret Service — sending out spies and scouts, and detecting crime and other misdemeanors within the army proper. He continued in that branch of the service until December, 18fi3, when he was Uken ill with fever at Chattanooga, Tenn., and removed to the hospital at Nashville At the latter place he lay ill for several weeks, and voluntarily retired from the service for the purpose of recuperating his health. Upon partially regaining his strength, he repaired to St. Louis, Mo., to unite himself again with the same branch of the service, under Gen. Rosecrans, who was then commanding the Department of the Missouri; and from St. Louis went to Fort Leavenworth. Kan.where he was appointed Ctiief Clerk of the Provost.Marshal General's Office, Department of Kansas, Gen. S. It. Curtis, commanding. He continued to act in this capacity until about the ist of September, 1865, by which time the war was ended, and all volunteer troops mustered out. This branch of the service had supervision and control of the entire scout system across the plains throughout Kansas and the Territories, and as Chief Clerk, Mr. Williams had charge of the assignment of scouts to their respective. posts of duty. During the fall and winter of 1865 and the spring of 18BG he traveled extensively through the South and West, and inApril, 1866, connectedhimself with the Omaha(Neb.) Republican&s editor, occupying this position until July, 18G6. He retUTjied to Kansas at that time to en. gage in the practice of the law at Junction City, in Davies County, where he resided until 1872, practicing his profession and holding the office of United SUtes Commissioner for the Western District of Kansas. In 1872. he located at Marion Center, in Marion County, Kan., where he practiced his profession until the summer of 1881, removing at that time to Union City, Ind., where he still resides. While a resident of Marion Center, Kan., on the 3d of May, 1876, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret Casper, daughter of Chris and Mary Kinsler, of Ohio, and widow of William i;'jasper, deceased.

Mr. Williams was what might be called one of the pioneer citizens of Western Kansas, and at the date of his removal to Junction City, that point was the farthest point west on the Kansas Pacific Railway (the first railway in the State), which had then barely reached this place. To a large extent. Junction City was the principal shipping point for supplies to New Mexico, Colorado and the Western borders. During his residence here he held various positions of elective trust, and was recognized among the leading citizens. During his identity with the State of Kansas in its early history, the position in which he was placed gave him an acquaintance with many of the prominent and leading frontiersmen who have become famous and are now widely known, among them being Kit Carson, James Bridger, James B. Hickock, John Harvey, Blunt, and others of equal note; and a useful store of knowledge was acquired by not infrequent mingling with the various tribes of Indians who inhabited the western border of Kansas, and now occupy the Indian Territory. Mr. Williams may fairly be called a Western man. He has traveled largely through the Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and all the Territories lying east of the Rocky.Mountain range, and is familiar, from actual observation, with that country in its general outline. He imbibed largely of that spirit of daring and love of adventure which characterizes the citizens of the West, and has often run dangerous risks to gratify this propensity. Once, with a few companions, he traveled a number of miles in the saddle to witness a pitched battle between the Cheyenne and Kaw tribes of Indians, and was one of two while persons who witnessed the pitched fight between the Otoes and the Kiowas at a later date. Since his removal to Union City, he has practiced his profession very successfully, while he has established himself firmly in the estimation of all who know him, and is counted among the best citizens.

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Entries for Stonv Creek Towushiy) up to (not including 1830) appear as given hJrewith: Morgan Mills, W. N. E. 19, 20, 13, April 11, 1821: Robison McIntjTC, W. N. W. 19, 20, 13, October 17, 1821; Robison Molntyre, E. S. E. 19, 20, 13, October 17, 1821; John Connor, W. S. E. 5, 19, 12, October 31, 1822; David Vestal, S. W. T,, 19. 12, October 31. 1822; Isaiah Meudenhall, W. N. E. 30, 20, 12, November 22, 1822; William Diggs, Jr.. S. E. 2, 19, 12. November 22,1822; Robert Scott, S. N. W. 12. 19, 12, November 2," 1822: Tarlton Moorman, S. W. 12, 19, ]2, November 2o. 1822; James Moorman, E. S. E. 22, 20, 12, November 25, 1822: James Moorman, W. S. W. 22, 20, 12, November 22. 1822; Isaac Branson, W. S. W. 10, 19, ]2, November 28, 1822; Jolm Connor, N. W. 8, 19, 12, February 11, 1823; Samuel Whitucre.W. S. E. 32, 20, 12, May 9, 1823; Abraham Clevenger, W. N. W. 10. 19, 12, August 23. 1823: George \V. Smithson, E. S. E.." 19, 12. October 21. lfS23: Henrv Walter. S..W. 19, 20, 13, November 15. 1823: John Thornliurg, E. S. E. 32. 20, 12. July 31. 1821: William Moore, E. S. E. 33, 20. 12. June 30, 1825: Lemuel Vestal. E. S. E. 29. 20, 12, February 10, 1825; Samuel Clevenger. AV. S. W. 4. 19, 12. Soptomber 11. 1820; Joab Thornbm-g. S. N. E. 4. 19, 12. September

11. 1820; Joab Thornburg. E. S. E. 4. 19. 12. Seiitember 11. 1820; Jonathan Freer. W. S. AV. 2, 19. 12, March 10. 1827; Joab Thornburg, AV. S. AV 3. 19. 12. September 12, 1827; Morgan Mills, AV. S. E. 23. 20, 12, April 4. 1828; Sanuiel Cleveugcr, AV. N. AV, 33. 20, 12, August 23, 1828; Jacob Reals, E. N. E. 20. 20. 12, October 21. 1828; William Holloway, S. N. E. 3, 19, 12, November 12, 1828; John Fisher, E. S. AV. 3, 19, 12, November 12. 1S2S; David Hoss. S. A\'. 31, 20, 13, January 2, 1829; David Fo.x, S. W. 8. 19, 12, February 10, is29; James Driver, E. N. E. 24. 20, 12, March 19, 1829; Solomon R. AVright, E. S. AV. 23, 20, 12, April 28, 1829: -John Holloway, S. N. W. 3, 19, 12, June 12. 1829; AVilliam Holloway, N. N. E. 2, 19, 12, June 12, 1829: Amos Smith, E. N. E. 28, 20, 12, June

12. 1829; Jacob Reals, AV. N. AV. 25, 2, 12, June 18, 1829; John Thornburg, AV. S. E. 29, 29. 12, September 10, 1829; John Thoiuburg, AV. N. A\'. 35, 20, 12, November 21. 1829; Benjamin Garrettson, E. N. E. 32, 20, 12, November 2]. 1829; Isaac Thornburg, AN. N. E, 27, 20,12, November 21, 1829; Isaac Thornburg,

As printed in History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.