Thomas Williams

As printed in 1881

THOMAS WILLIAMS, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus; is the eldest child of John F. Williams' second marriage; was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Feb. 16, 1814. He lived with his father until of age, working on the farm, and being of a mechanical turn of mind, and genius of that kind being in demand, he took up the boot and shoe making trade, without ever spending an hour as an apprentice. By doing jobs of repairing for themselves and others, he soon acquired a knowledge of the business that enabled him to do any kind of work, doing a great portion of all that the early settlers of their vicinity required, not because he ever expected to make a lifetime business of it, but more for the accommodation of their own family and neighbors. In 1833. he married Sarah Shafl- stall. She was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1816, and came here with her father's (Solomon Shaflstall) family in 1832. Mr. Williams had got 8(1 acres of his father, which was all in wood. He set about improving it. but his health failed him the first year, which interfered seriously- with further progress on his farm. The following year he regained his health and worked tor his brother in the summer, at the building of a mill in Holmes Township, at $10 per month. At this time they lived near the mill-site, and boarded the hands employed at its construction. In 1832, he had the logs cut and hewed to build a house, doing all the work himself and after the completion of his work on the mill, he returned to his farm, five acres of which he had succeeded in clearing. He then set about making general improvements on his place, working hard both early and late. The old log building which he first erected stands on the premises to this day. The nails which he put on the roof with, cost him 10 cents per pound, which he paid for with maple sugar, made by himself and wife; that was tlicir residence from 1832 until 186(1. In 1838, Mr, Williams worked some time at the construction of the Erie & Wabash Canal, near Defiance, and lost no opportunity in those early days to do whatever kind of work presented itself, whether considered hard or light, and all with the intent of securing an independent home, which now he so fully enjoy-s. Besides giving his children a good start, he owns 160 acres of good land. They had eleven children, viz., Almira, wife of George Seits; Henrv, whose sketch appears here; William, deceased; p]iiza)ieth, was married to Edwin Ferrall.and died in May, 1879, leaving three children; Catharine, wife of Isaac Dial; Joshua, deceased, in his 25th year; Laura, wife of John Davidson; Harrison, married Frances Slocum; Mary, wife of Joseph Hill; Amelia, wife of Jacob Payne; Emma, wife of Lawrence Sponsellcr. Those living are all married and doing for themselves, and Mr. and Mrs. Williams are spending their later years enjoying the fruits of their early industry.

As printed in History of Crawford County and Ohio : containing a history of the state of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time ... a history of Crawford County ... biographical sketches, portraits (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.