William A. Williams

As printed in 1881

WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of County Inflrmary Bucrus, was born Dec. 15, 1825, in Berks Co., Penn. The parents. Price and Ann (Hughes) Williams, were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were raised, married, and resided until 1836, when they came to Crawford Co., Ohio, settling in Auburn Township. The father's occupation was charcoal burning, a business he followed quite extensively after his coming to Crawford Co., and until the advent of the railroads in the county. He also owned a farm, but his sons did nearly all the work upon this, as his time was occupied in charcoal-burning. William A. being the eldest son, on him devolved the responsibility of clearing and improving the farm. This gave him but little spare time, and his opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited. In early life, he manifested a strong liking for the rearing and training of horses, and, on reaching his majority, began in a small way to deal in horses. During his life, he has owned some of the best horses ever kept in Auburn Township, and has done much to improve the grade of farm horses in the county When 25 years of age, he purchased 80 acres of unimproved land, and began its improvement. In the late war, he served in Co. H, 123d 0. V. I., from August, 1862, to August, 1864. At the battle of Winchester, Va., he was taken prisoner, and for eight months endured all the hardships incident to prison life in the historical Libby Prison of Richmond, Va. He was one of the men who planned and successfully established a tunnel, through which 104 men escaped from Libby Prison. After his escape, he rejoined his company, of which he-was Second Lieutenant, although during the year of 1864, he had charge of Co. H, and, from the time of his escape to his discharge, he had command of that company. After his return home, he devoted his time to farming and stock-growing. In 1877, he was appointed by the Infirmary Directors Superintendent of that institution. Mr. Williams possesses superior executive ability, and, under his skillful management, the Inflrmary has become almost self-supporting. During his residence in Auburn Township, he was honored with many positions of profit and trust. His marriage with Miss Rebecca J. Bleeks occurred Aug. 29, 1852. She was born in Medina Co., Ohio, Aug. 2, 1832. From this union there are three children — Allison, living; Emma and Oscar, deceased. Mr. Williams owns a nicely improved farm of 160 acres in Auburn Township, which he has obtained by his own exertions. He is a Democrat, politically, though liberal in his views.

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.