Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 165

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 165

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLARD, Samuel, A. M., M. D., LL. D. (Vol. I, p. 590.)

WILLIAMS, George W. (deceased), who spent juost of his active life farming in Sangamon County, was a veteran of the Civil War and was houored and esteemed by all who knew him as a mau of Integrity and rellability. He was boru in Steubenville, Ohio, September 7, 1842, and was a sou of Thomas and Rachel (Jacksou) Will- iams, the former a native of Irelaud and the latter born in Maryland. Thomas Williams was brought to America at the age of five years, aud after reaching a suitable age engaged iu farın- ing near Steubenville. remaining there forty years, then removed to Assumption, Iil., where he spent the remainder of his life. He pur- chased 360 acres of land iu Christian County and there carried on farmlug with success, developing his farmi and maklug muany improvements in the way of buildings. There he and his wife botlı died, belng buried in that vicinity. They were parents of three, sons and a daughter : one son, Leander, is a telegraph operator and lives in Chicago; Andrew resides at Villisca, Iowa, where he is a successful farmer and extensively engaged iu hog-raising; George W., and the daughter is deceased and buried at Assumption, Ill.

In boyhood George W. Williams attended the public schools of Steubenville, Ohlo, and was reared on a farm, belug early taught to per- form his share of the work on his father's farm. He came with the famlly to Illinols at the time

1721

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of the Civil War, and soou afterwards jolned Company K, Fifth Ohio Cavalry, serving dur- ing the remainder of the war. He participated in many battles aud was taken prisouer and con- fined some time iu Libby Prison.

At the close of the war Mr. Williams returned to Assumtion, but soou afterwards removed to Sangamon County aud engaged in farming, which occupation he continued the remainder of his life. He was industrious and progressive and brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. He owned land iu Sectiou 35, Curran Townshlp, and had a comfortable home thereon. He had the good-will and esteem of his neighbors aud was actively interested in the weitare of his · community. He was well kuown iu the neigh- borhood where he had lived so many years, and his loss was keenly felt iu mauy circles. He was a devout member of the Methodist Church, whlle Mrs. Willlams belongs to the Christiau Church at Loaml.

The marriage of Mr. Williams took place in Jacksonville, Ill., October 3, 1878, when he was united with Louise, daughter of Samuel Wilsou. Mrs. Williams was born near Jacksonville, in Mor- gan County. Mr. Wilson was born in Kentucky in 1813, and came to Morgan County at the age of thirteen years, becoming an influential and successful farmer there. He helped drive the first stakes wheu the village of Jacksonville was lald out. The land which he purchased there was worth but $1.25 per acre at that time, but so great has been the development of cen- tral Illinois since that it is now worth $200 per acre. Mr. Wilson died December 4, 1902, at the age of ninety years, and his wife, who was a native of Morgan County, died in 1856, being buried in the old Flynn grave-yard. Seven sons aud four daughters were born to this couple, and of these four sons and one daughter (Mrs. Willlams) survive. Three sous, John, Elias and Robert, served during the Civil War as members of the Iliinois Volunteer Infantry. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Mae, now the wife of Frank Cloyd, and they live one mile north of Loami, being parents of five children- Lee, Millard, Grace I .. Arthur F. and Russell H. An adopted son, Ralph Williams, born in Springfield, June 14, 1889, lives with his mother on the home farm. Mr. Williams died August 7, 1906, on the farm now occupied by his widow, and was buried iu Chatham Cemetery.

WILLIAMS, Henry H .- It has been truthfully said that the nation's strength lies in its agri- cultural Interests-that without them the coun- try could not thrive and prosperity would be a thing of the past. The men in whose hands the agricultural interests rest should be of the type that will be of benefit to the country, men with clear minds and ideas, progressive methods and industrious habits. Henry H. Williams was for many years engaged In farming in Sangamon County and knows the business of agriculture in all Its branches. He Is a native of the coun- ty, having been born in Rochester Township,

July 30, 1840. a son of Samuel and Jane L. (Trotter) Williams. Samuei Williams was born May 26, 1800, iu Vermont and in youth removed to Indiana, but in 1822 came to Sangamou Coun- ty, Ill., and after teaching school at Rochester for several years, settled down to an agricultural life and was so engaged until his death. His wife, a native of Kentucky, came with her par- ents to Sangamon County in 1820.

Henry H. Williams secured his education in the country schools near Rochester, aud his youth was speut much as that of any farmer's son. As soon as he was able he began to do his share of work about the home farm, and in this way learned the calling from the bottom up, gaining training that was of much value to himu iu the years following. His entire active career was spent as a farmer, he being so engaged came to Springfield, and has there resided siuce, until his retirement in 1895, at which time he owning his own comfortable home. He is one of the county's old residents, and has seen many changes take place during his long and useful life. His religious connection is with the Christian Church.

On March 18, 1877, Mr. Williams was married in Sangamon County to Catherine E. Rhodes, who was born in Maryland, May 26, 1845. from which place she accompanied her parents in 1865 to Iilinols. They settled on a farm and lived there uutil. the time of their deaths. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Charles H., who married Miss Fannie Spence, of Spring- field, and they had the foliowing children : Homer H. is living ; Luther, deceased ; Iva Jane, is dead ; Mable, Walter R. and an intant, living.

WILLIAMS, Jacob, was born in Ohio, January 19, 1844, son of Samuel S. and Isabeila (Horn) Williams, the father born in Virginia, February 23, 1812, and the mother in Pennsylvania, in 1826. Little is known of the grandparents other than the fact that they were natives of Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania. Samuel S. Williams was a cabinet-maker and went from his native State to Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, and fin- ally settled In Illinois. He located first in Logan County and later came to Sangamon County, where he died. Jacob Willlains ac- quired most of his education as a result of his own efforts while serving in the Civil War. Ile lived on a farm as a boy and was always fond of outdoor sports and pastimes. He went with his family from Ohio to Illinois in 1852, and soon after to Sangamon County, which has since been hls home.

August 1, 1862. Jacob Williams enlisted in Company D, One Hundred Sixth Illinois In- fantry, at Pulaski, Ill., served three years, and was mustered out July 12, 1865, at Pine Bluff, Ark. Ile was wounded in the leg and spent about six weeks in a hospital. He participated In battles at Forest Rald, Memphis, and other points. For sixteen months he served as Chief Orderly in the office of the Provost Marshal at Memphis, Tenn., then was ordered to the

1722

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

front and took charge of the postoffice at Pine Bluff, where he served twelve months as Post- master, being relieved to be mustered out, in 1865. He won a record of which he may well be proud and he is a member of the G. A. R.

Mr. Williams was married, at Springfield, in April, 1873, to Miss Bridgie Galvin, who was born in Springfield, January 21, 1857, daughter of Daniel and Honoria (Foley) Galvin, na- tives of Ireland, and the father a veteran of the Civil War. Her grandparents were also natives of Ireland. Three children were born to Mr. Williams and his wife, of whom two . survive : Harry J., born July 26, 1875, and Honoria E., July 17, 1878. The other child, Samuel C., who was born July 17, 1874, died in childhood. Honoria married W. H. Garrisou, and they reside at Culbertson, Mont. Harry J. married Augusta Mueller, and they live on a farm five and one-half miles east of Spring- field. Mr. Williams is one of the old residents of Springfield and is held in high esteem by ali who know him, as a useful, public-spirited citizen. He is a member of the Baptist Church and a stanch Republican. For many years he has worked at the trade of carpenter and is a skiliful and industrious workman. The family reside at 629 North Eighteenth Street.

WILLIAMS, John (deceased), who for many years was engaged in the Rolling Mili business in and around Springfield, Ili., was born in Wales, in 1862, and died in Springfield iu 1896. He was a son of James and Catherine (Lewis) Williams, natives of Wales, the former born in 1831 and the latter in 1829. They came to America in 1851, locating in Springfield, where the father worked at his trade of irou worker until his death in 1878, the mother surviving until 1882. Children as follows were born to this couple : William, John, Eddie, Thomas, James, and Maggie, who died at the age of seven years.

John Williams was educated in the schools of Pittsburg. Pa. and Springfield, Ill., where his parents resided for a short time, and his first work was in the rolling mills of the latter city. At the age of twenty years he secured this em- ployment and coutinued to work in this line until his death, when he left his widow a beautiful home, in which she and her children now reside. Mr. Williams was one of those who helped to sink the Jones and Adams mine.

In 1885 Mr. Williams was married, by the Rev. Hines, of the Episcopal Church, to Emma Cartwright, who was born in Jolinston, Pa., in 1855. daughter of John Cartwright, a native of Wales, who was born December 25, 1830. and died October 16, 1872. Mrs. Williams' mother, Mary (Reece) Cartwright, was born in Wales in June. 1830, and died September 13, 1883. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright : Margaret, wife of Thomas H. Prit- chard, a well-to-do coai-miner of Springfield ; William and Edward. of Springfield : Mary Ann, the wife of William Dunn, of Terre Haute, Ind. ;

Emma, who became Mrs. Williams; Eliza, the wife of Frank Ammond, of Alabama City, Ala .; David, who died when thirty-two years old; and Katie, the wife of John Newton, of Terre Haute, Ind.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams : Margaret, the wife of Martin Spence, a successful contractor of Springfield, born April 12, 1SS6 ; Mamie B., born May 20, 1889, employed at the Illinois Watch Factory; and Jennie B., born April 12, 1892, also working at the Illinois Watch Factory. Mr. Williams was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church.

WILLIAMS, Col. John (deceased), pioneer, leading business man and prominent citizeu of Springfield and Central Illinois in early history, was boru near Owingsville, Bath County, Ky., September 11, 1808, the son of James and Han- nah (Mappin) Williams, his father being of Welsh descent and a native of Virginia, while his mother was of Scotch-Irish parentage and born near Pittsburg, Pa. Thus descended from Welsh and Scotch-Irish ancestry, he inherited the traits of energy. enterprise, and moral and business integrity which characterized the sev- erai branches of his family.

In 1823 his parents came in covered wagons with a party of friends to Illinois, first settling at Indian Point, three miles north of Athens, then in Sangamon (but now a part of Menard) County. there entered goverment land and, building a log cabin, there spent the remainder of their lives. At this time the son John was employed as a storeboy by J. T. Brian, of Ow- lugsville, Ky., but in the fall of the following year, in company with several Kentucky neigh- bors, he came ou horseback to Illinois. After spending two weeks with his parents he went to Springfield and there found employment by Major Elijah Iles, the first merchant of the place. receiving a salary of teu dollars per month with board. At that time the lies store occupied a rough-hewn log house, the oldest building in Springfield, situated on what is now the southeast corner of Second and Jefferson Streets. In a book of pioneer reminiscences written by Major Iies in the latter years of his life. the pioneer merchant says: "Soon after opening my store my father sent me from Ken- tucky a youth. aged sixteen, a son of one of his valued neighbors, to act as storeboy and clerk. This youth was John Williams. now better known as Col. Williams. He proved to be a valuable assistant. and lived with me as one of the fam- ily until 1830, when I sold my goods to him and established him in business."

Major Iles showed the appreciation of his employe's service by paying him $30 increase on . his first year's salary, and continuing his em- ployment for the next five at $200 per annum. During this period Mr. Williams was gaining a . business experience and extending his acquaint- ance with early settlers of Sangamon County, which proved most valuable in his future mer- cantile career of over fifty years. At the end

1723

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of his service with Major Iles, he hought the store of his empioyer, paying therefor in four quarterly payments, and starting out with a capital of $300, which he had saved from his salary during the preceding six years.

When the Iles store was first started, the goods were hought at St. Louis and brought by flat-boats to what is now the city of Beards- town, and thence transported hy wagon to Springfield, and this was continued for some years after Mr. Williams became proprietor. When going to St. Louis to replenish his stock he was accustomed to carry his money in saddle- bags on horseback, and these were often dropped behind the door of the tavern or stopping place. but without suffering any loss. At this time it was often necessary to cut the silver coin in pieces to produce the needed fractionai cur- rency. For two years this store was without iocai competition, aud customers were accus- tomed to come a distance of fifty to eighty miles to trade there. A large share of the trade was with Indians, who brought with them their furs and other pelts for traffic. The whites used siiver coin or hartered home-made jeans, cotton and linen cloth. honey, beeswax and farm prod- ucts In the purchase of goods. In 1823 a post- office was established which was conducted in the Iles store. and for many years Mr. Wil- liams officlated as Postmaster. Mr. Williams' residence in Springfield covered the period of the "deep snow" of 1830-31 and the Black Hawk War of 1832, and in the latter he served as a volunteer with Abraham Lincoln, Major Iles, John T. Stuart and other well-known citizens of Sangamon County.

Ahout 1835, Mr. Williams' store was removed to the southwest corner of Washington and Fifth Streets, Robert Irwin (afterwards a banker) then becoming a member of the firm under the firm name of Williams & Irwin. Later the store was removed farther east on Washington Street, Jacoh Loose being a partner for a short time. and this continued its location during the remainder of Mr. Wiiilams' mercan- tile career, his son-in-law, George N. Black, be- coming a member of the firm In 1850. During most of this period it was the most extensive mercantiie estabiishment in the city of Spring- field. The history of the dry-goods store of Ed- ward R. Thayer, still in existence in Spring- field. is more neariy contemporaneous with that of Mr. Williams' than any other. and before the days of the railroad. Mr. Williams and Mr. Thayer used frequently to make their trips in company by stage-coach to Philadelphia, to re- plenish their stock of goods.

Mr. Williams was married March 31, 1840, to Miss Lydia Porter. a native of Lima, Livingston County, N. Y .. but at the time of her marriage making her home with her sister. Mrs. Elljah Iies. Six children were born to them. namely : Louisa Iles (the late Mrs. George N. Black ),' Albert Porter. John Edward. Julia Jayre (the late Mrs. Alfred Orendorff), George and Henry Carter. The two older sons, Albert P. and John

Edward, died before their parents, while Mrs. Black and Mrs. Oreudorff died within the past two years. The sons George aud Henry are the ouiy immediate descendants of Coi. Willlams still ilviug, though several grandchildren sur- vive.

While Coi. Williams' promineuce as a private citizeu and husiness man was widely recognized, he aiso served in a uumher of important public positions. These included the treasurership of the Illinois State Agriculturai Society, to which he was chosen on the organization of the Soci- ety in 1853, and In which he served six years, later being chosen Treasurer of the Illinois State Importing Association. In 1856 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for Con- gress from the Springfield District, and ai- though he failed of election, ran some 2,000 votes ahead of his ticket. On the outbreak of the Civil War he was appointed by Gov. Yates Commissary Geuerai for the State of Illinois, serving most efficiently in that capacity for some six months and until the commissary service was assumied by the General Government, ai- thongh he continued to ald in caring for sol- diers arriving in Springfield, either on the way to or from the field, during the war period; also served as head of the Iiiinols State Sani- tary Commission for the last two years of the war. By appointment of President Lincoin he acted as Government Disbursing Agent in the construction of the United States Court House and Postoffice Building lu Springfield, during that time some $320,000 passing through his hands. While in the mercantile business he opened a private hank for the accommodation of citizens of Springfield which, soon after the passage of the Nationai Banking Act in 1863, he- came the First National Bank of Springfieid, of which he was President for eleven years." Other financiai interests with which he was as- sociated incinded the building of the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Raiiroad (now a branch of the Iiiinois Central) and the Springfieid & Northwestern (now a part of the Chicago, Peo- ria & St. Louis Line), serving as President of the iatter. Williams Towuship in Sangamon County, and the village of Williamsvilie, in that township, were both named in his honor.

At the time of the great Union Mass Meeting of September 3, 1863, Col. Williams acted as Grand Marshai of one of the most imposing pro- cessions ever seen in Springfield. Being a ciose friend of Mr. Lincoin, after the death of the iat- ter in 1865, he was selected as a member of the committee to proceed to Washington and accompany the funeral cortege of the Martyred President to Springfield, aiso acted as one of the honorary pall-hearers at the funeral, and stiil iater served as a member of the Executive Committee in supervising the erection of the Lincoin Monument. A man of simple, unas- suming manner. bnt puhiic-spirited of high in- tegrity and sterling worth, Col. Williams com- manded universal respect by his personal merit. His deathı occurred at the home of his daughter,

1724

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Mrs. Aifred Orendorff, May 29, 1890, in the eighty-second year of his age.

WILLIAMS, John. (Vol. I, p. 591.)

WILLIAMS, Joseph (deceased) .- Those who have passed to their iast reward are tenderiy remembered by their families and friends if their lives were worthy of such gratitude, for it is only when a man has ieft this world that his deeds assume their rightfui character. When Joseph Williams died the entire neighborhood mourned for the loss of an excellent citizeu. He was born in Ohio, April 3, 1846, a son of Samuel and Louisa (Rash) Wliliams, the former a native of Maryiand. The mother died when Joseph Williams was seven years old, and the father married again, his second choice be- ing Abbie Van Giider, also now deceased. The father was a farmer ali his life and died on his property in Gardner Township. There were eleven children by the first marriage and six by the second, and John Williams, of Springfield, is the only survivor of the first set of children.

When he was one year oid Joseph Williams was brought to Gardner Township by his par- ents, they settling on 400 acres of land, and on this the lad grew up, attending the country school. He remained at home until his marriage, February 17, 1880, to Irene Matthews, of Daw- son, born there July 15, 1860, daughter of John and Rachel (Lanham) Matthews, the former a native of Kentucky, who came to Iliinois at all early date, dying at Dawson, where his wife, a native of Ohio, also passed away. They had chii- dren as follows: Martha E., Mrs. Charles B. McDaniel, of Springfield; William, of Dawson, married Edna Vaughn; Taylor married Alice Brown; Sarah F., deceased; Mrs. Wiiilams ; Joseph died in infancy; Hattie Elizabeth, Mrs. Frank Tate of Springfield ; and Mary, Mrs. James Drone, of Decatur. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Williams located on twenty acres in Gard- ner Township where his death occurred March 17. 1896. He was a faithfui member of the United Brethren Church. A stanch Democrat, he gave his party a loyal support. Three chii- dren were born to himseif and wife: Jesse, of Upper Berlin, married Carrie Ives, one child. Violet ; Carrie, Mrs. John Keeiey of Springfield, and Clarence, at home. Mr. Wiillams gave earn- est attention to the rearing of his children, strove to do his fuil duty as a neighbor aud citizen, was falthfui to his church obligations, and his place has not been fiiied, nor can it be, for men like him are rare, and his relatives and friends appreciate his virtues and stili mourn his loss.

WILLIAMS, Milton .- While most of the old soldlers have passed away, there are a numn- ber stili left in Sangamon County, and these are given the honor that is their rightful due, for without the loyaity and bravery of the army, the Union could not have been pre- served. One of the veterans of whom the

county is proud is Miiton Williams, a prosper- ous farmer of Woodside Towuship, born in Ciinton County, Ohio, August 25, 1838, a son of Haines and Permella (Myers) Williams, na- tives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. The parents came to Illinois in 1855, locating in Cooper Township, Sangamon County, where they bought forty acres of iand, upon which the father died in 1863, and the mother severai years later. There were seveu children (four sons and three daughters), in their family, aii of whom are deceased except Milton and his brother Joseph, who was a soidier as well.

The education of Milton Williams was se- cured lu Ohio during his boyhood, but at the same time he was required to assist with work upon the farm. In the spring of 1859 he weut to Pike's Peak, following the westward trend of that day, but six months later returned home. He then went to Gentry County, Mo., remained there four years. He entered the home militia, and after serving six months, was mustered out, and eniisted in the regular service, at St. Joseph, in Company B, Twenty-fifth Missouri Voiunteer Infantry, which later. was consoll- dated with the Twenty-first 'Missouri Engineers. Mr. Willlams, with his regiment, participated in the battle of Shiloh, the two days fight at Kingston, made a forced march to Raleigh, and came back to Washington, D. C., whence. they were sent to Louisville, Ky., to be mustered out, being discharged at St. Louis. Mr. WII- liams had become a Corporal. At the ciose of the war he went to Sangamon County to en- gage in farming, joining his father and re- mainlng there for ten years. At the expira- tion of that period he moved to Christian County and farmed for another decade. He then moved to Springfield, where he spent the next fifteen years, after which he located in his present home, where he owns five acres of rich farm land.

The first marriage of Mr. Wlilians occurred in Springfield, in 1871, when he was united to Margaret Galpin, born In Iilinois in 1851, and they had one child who died in infaucy. He was married (second) in Springfield, in 1886, to Lucinda Dodd, born in Morgan County. Til., daughter of an early settler and farmer of that county. The second Mrs. Williams died December 25, 1908.

In politics Mr. Williams was a Republican from the start, and has remained faithfui to this party ever since. He beiongs to Stephen- son Post. G. A. R. of Springfield, and enjoys meeting hls oid comrades aud with them re- living the stirring events of the days of the war. In religlous faith he is a member of the Church of God, and is earnest in his support of its crced. He has been hard-working and thrifty, and has earnestiy tried to do what he. thought was his duty, both to his country and to his neighbor, and, in so living up to his couception of the Golden Ruie, has es- tablished hliuseif in the confidence of his con- munity.

1725

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

WILLIS, Claude Joseph, one of the prosperous retired farmers of Springfield, residing at No. 1425 South Seventh street, was boru In Wym- born, Devoushire, England, April 19, 1844. He is a son of Charles William and Auu Catherine (Rowe) Willis. Charles William Willis was a native of Devonshire, England, while his wife was boru iu Dublin, Ireland. Here, her father acted as Surgeou General iu the British Army, being statioued in that city. All the male mem- bers of her father's family were iu eitber tbe army or navy. Her brother, George J. Rowe, was Secretary of the Royal Society of Arts iu England, aud spoke many lauguages. Charles William Willis aud Ann Catherine Rowe were married iu Eugland, but came to America in 1855, locating in Jacksouville, where Mr. Willis was takeu sick aud died. He was au attoruey- at-law. Mrs. Willis coutinued to reside in Jack- souville, teaching vocal and lustrumental mu- sic, having been educated in a Catholic convent where special attentiou was paid to cultivating her talent. She sung all the Graud Opera scores iu Italiau aud was uoted for her abliity. Because of her remarkable talent the Episcopal Church at Springfield secured her to play thelr pipe organ, which she did during the period wheu Abraham Lincoln was living in the city. Mrs. Willis was an artist of no meall ability, and Mr. Willis cherisbes a uumber of paintings executed by her. He and his mother had the privilege of being next door ueighbors of the late lamented Dr. Newton Bateman, and under him, Mr. Willis studied in school, and until the death of that scholar, was his siucere admirer.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 165

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774